Abstract
This article aimed to explore whether hook plate implantation significantly narrowed
the subacromial space. 24 shoulder joints were implanted with clavicle hook plates.
A Vernier caliper was used to measure the length and thickness of the acromion. In
addition, the length and thickness of the hook of the plate were measured. The data
from all measurements recorded were divided into 2 groups Group A, the length group:
the length of acromion and the hook, and Group B, the thickness group: the thickness
of acromion and the depth of hook. There are significant statistical differences when
comparing between the subgroups within each group. The depth of the hook exceeds the
thickness of the acromion (12.41±2.80 mm vs. 10.44±2.59 mm, respectively), the hook
plate implantation significantly narrowed the subacromial space by 1.97±1.19 mm (p<0.01),
and the length of the hook was shorter than that of the acromion by 9.75±3.64 mm (p<0.01).
Our findings revealed that the hook plate with only 3 depths could not match the acromion
satisfactorily and the hook plate implantation significantly narrowed the subacromial
space. A hook plate with a variable depth, which can match better with patient’s anatomy,
is worthy of further investigation in the future.
Key words
clavicle hook plate - subacromial impingement syndrome - anatomic research
