Injuries to the acromioclavicular joint.
Injuries to the acromioclavicular joint are common but underdiagnosed. Sprains and minor subluxations are best managed conservatively, but there is debate concerning the treatment of complete dislocations and the more complex combined injuries in which other elements of the shoulder girdle are damaged. Confusion has been caused by existing systems for classification of these injuries, the plethora of available operative techniques and the lack of well-designed clinical trials comparing alternative methods of management. Recent advances in arthroscopic surgery have produced an even greater variety of surgical options for which, as yet, there are no objective data on outcome of high quality. We review the current concepts of the treatment of these injuries.
Edinburgh Shoulder Clinic, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 4SU, UK.
J A
JA
Fraser-Moodie
N L
NL
Shortt
C M
CM
Robinson
D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy