About 12 % of all injuries in the shoulder area affect the acromioclavicular joint. The most common cause is a fall on the shoulder; the severity of damage to the ligament structure depends on the force of the fall. A complete rupture of the ligaments results in the disruption (separation) of the AC joint with a visible step deformity of the clavicle. The joint should be surgically repositioned in cases of extreme deformity, in young patients, in patients involved in hard physical labour (overhead work, carrying loads) and in athletes. The following techniques are used:
- Plate osteosyntheses
- Wiring with cerclage and suture of the respective ligament structure
- Fixation of the clavicle at the coracoid process (Bosworth CC screws)
A common feature of all of these procedures is the removal of the metal fixings after 6-8 weeks.
Plate osteosynthesis
with repositioning of an
acromioclavicular joint disruption
(according to Dreythaler)