Open distal clavicle resection: isolated or with adjunctive acromioplasty

The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes following open distal clavicle resection for acromioclavicular joint arthritis or distal clavicle osteolysis, with and without associated acromioplasty. Patients with painful clinical findings limited to the acromioclavicular joint had isolated distal clavicle excision (23 shoulders). Patients with acromioclavicular joint abnormalities and rotator cuff tendinopathy also underwent acromioplasty (41 shoulders). At average follow-up of 8.3 years, pain scores improved from 4.7 (1 to 5 scale) to 2.3 (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction improved from 1.8 (1 to 10 scale) to 8.3 (p < 0.001). Postoperatively the mean Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score was 10.9. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score was 88.3. There were no statistical differences in pain, satisfaction, motion, and shoulder scores between the two groups. Results of distal clavicle resection with or without acromioplasty are favourable with a low rate of complications and seldom is further surgery required.