title: Acromioclavicular joint dislocation with associated brachial plexus injury.
abstract: We present the case of a 32-year-old female who sustained a left acromioclavicular (AC) joint type V injury and brachial plexus injury. The patient's AC joint injury was identified 6 days after she was involved in a motorbike accident where she sustained multiple other injuries. She required operative fixation of the AC joint using a locking compression medial proximal tibial plate. At 3 months post operatively, the patient was found to have a subluxed left shoulder as a result of an axonal injury to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. In addition, the tibial plate had cut out. The plate was subsequently removed. At 8 months the glenohumeral articulation had been restored and the patient had clinically regained significant shoulder function. After 15 months the patient was pain free and could complete all her activities of daily living without impediment. She returned to playing competitive pool after 24 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Charles Alexander
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blakeney
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zellweger
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications