title: Sports activity after anatomic acromioclavicular joint stabilisation with flip-button technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sports activity after surgical AC joint stabilisation has not been comprehensively evaluated to date. The aim of this study was to determine rate, level and time to return to sports after AC joint stabilisation and to identify the influence of overhead sports on post-operative sports activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective case series, a total of 68 patients with a high-grade AC joint dislocation (Rockwood type V) were stabilised using a single TightRope technique. Fifty-five patients (80.9 %) with median age of 42.0 (range, 18-65) years completed questionnaires regarding sports activity before and after surgery. Clinical outcome and complications were also evaluated. Forty-three patients participated in sports regularly before injury. Their sports activity was rated according to Allain, and non-overhead and overhead sports were differentiated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At median follow-up of 24 (18-45) months, 41 of 43 patients (95.3 %) had returned to sports. 63 % returned to the same sports activity as before injury. 16.3 % needed to adapt the type of sports to reduce demanding activities. 11.6 % reduced the frequency and 32.5 % the intensity of sports. The median time to return to sports was 9.5 (3-18) months. Overhead athletes (Allain Type III and IV) had to reduce their sports activity significantly more often (11.8 vs. 53.8 %; p = 0.011) and needed more time to return to sports (9.5 vs. 4.5 months; p = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After stabilisation of AC joint dislocation, the majority of patients returned to sports after a substantial period of time. Overhead athletes, in particular, required more time and had to considerably reduce their sports activity. The findings impact therapeutic decision-making after AC joint injury and help with the prognosis and assessment of rehabilitation progress.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Porschke
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Schnetzke
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Aytac
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Studier-Fischer
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Paul Alfred
authors: PA
authors: Gruetzner
authors: BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen at Heidelberg University Hospital, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany. thorsten.guehring@bgu-ludwigshafen.de.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Guehring
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068958:Return to Sport; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acromioclavicular joint; Acromioclavicular separation; Return to sports; Sports activity; TightRope