Joint compression alters the kinematics and loading patterns of the intact and capsule-transected AC joint

High compressive loads are transmitted through the shoulder across the acromioclavicular (AC) joint to the axial skeleton during activities of daily living and can lead to early joint degeneration or instability. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of joint compression on the biomechanics of the intact and capsule-transected AC joint during application of three loading conditions. A robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system was utilized to apply an anterior, posterior or superior load of 70 N in combination with 10 or 70 N of joint compression to fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (n=12). The application of joint compression to the intact AC joint decreased the posterior translation in response to a posterior load (-6.6+/-2.5 vs -3.7+/-1.0 mm, p<0.05). Joint compression also decreased the in situ force in the superior AC capsule by 10 N while increasing the joint contact force by 20 N for all loading conditions (p<0.05). The application of joint compression to the capsule-transected AC joint significantly decreased the amount of posterior and superior translation during posterior (-12.7+/-6.1 vs -5.5+/-3.2 mm, p<0.05) and superior (5.3+/-2.9 vs 4.2+/-2.3 mm, p<0.05) loading, respectively, while significantly increasing the coupled translations (anterior-posterior, superior-inferior or proximal-distal) in all loading conditions (p<0.05). The joint contact force also significantly increased by 20 N for all loading conditions (p<0.05). This quantitative data suggests: (1) common surgical techniques such as distal clavicle resection, which initially reduce painful joint contact, may cause unusually high loads to be supported by the soft tissue structures at the AC joint; and (2) compressive loads transmitted across a capsule-transected AC joint could be concentrated over a smaller area due to the increased coupled motion and joint contact force.