Treatment of Acromioclavicular Sprains in Athletes

In brief: The most common mechanism of acromioclavicular joint trauma is injury by direct force that occurs when the patient falls onto the point of the shoulder, usually with the arm at the side in adduction. Mild and moderate sprains are treated conservatively with ice and range-of-motion exercises. In addition, moderate sprains are immobilized. Physicians must choose "nontreatment," conservative treatment, or surgery for severe sprains after considering the concomitant injuries, general surgical risks, cosmetic results, length of treatment, extremity involved, and the patient's age. Specific surgical procedures vary according to age, type of ligament tear, and the condition of the distal clavicle.