There has been considerable controversy as to the treatment method of dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint, so various operative treatment modalities have been suggested. We analyzed the results of 40 patients with acromioclavicular dislocation, in whom twenty patients were treated by modified Phemister method and 20 patients by modified Weaver-Dunn method above follow-up two years. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of two operative methods. According to Weitzman criteriae for clinical results, 12 cases were excellent, six cases good and two cases fair in modified Phemister method. But in modified Weaver-Dunn method, ten cases were excellent, eight cases good, one case fair and one case poor. In radiological result, coracoclavicular distance was measured at preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up period. The modified Phemister method was 6.lmm, 1.5mm and 2.4mm respectively, and the modified Weaver-Dunn method 7.8mm, 2.lmm and 2.5mm respectively. The complications were two cases of heterotopic ossification, one case of inadequate fixation and one case of K-wire breakage in modified Phemister method, and two cases of early fixation loss and one case of heterotopic ossification in modified Weaver-Dunn method. We obtained that the clinical, functional and radiological results showed no significant difference in two methods. The modified Phemister method was effective treatment for old patients in acute injuries due to short operation time and simple technique. The modified Weaver-Dunn method, as a reconstructive operation that reduces various complications for young and active male patients, was also good for getting the stability of coracoclavicular ligament through clavicular bony union.
