title: Type III acromioclavicular separation: rationale for anatomical reconstruction.
abstract: Treatment of acute type III acromioclavicular separation is controversial. In some patients, nonoperative treatment is associated with pain, weakness, and stiffness. Many acromioclavicular joint reconstructions are associated with complications and results not substantially better than those of nonoperative treatment. Use of autogenous free tendon graft to anatomically reconstruct the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments offers several advantages over other surgical techniques. These advantages include improved biomechanical properties, no foreign body implantation, biological fixation, anatomical reconstruction, and early rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21227-2780, USA.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Farber
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Cascio
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wilckens
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome