Surgical treatment of acromio-clavicular dislocation

Acromio-clavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation usually occurs in young adults following trauma or sports injury. Fourteen patients underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic total ACJ dislocation (Rockwood and Matsen Type III-VI) in our unit between January 1996 and June 1997. Eight patients were operated within three weeks of injury and six in the chronic period (after three weeks). In the acute group, two patients had Botsworth procedure and six had Weaver-Dunn operations. All six in the chronic group had Rockwood procedure. Nine patients achieved excellent outcome with full range of shoulder movement, pain free and return to work within three months of surgery. Two patients had good outcome. Three other patients had satisfactory outcome with tolerable pain and light duty at three months. Two patients developed chronic shoulder pain and one had painful hypertrophic surgical scar. Two patients had screw breakage requiring revision surgery. In conclusion, surgical treatment for ACJ dislocation produces good results. We suggest that surgical treatment be the treatment of choice for young patients requiring early recovery and good shoulder function.