Sports activity after anatomic acromioclavicular joint stabilisation with flip-button technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Surgical stabilization of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint is common for high-grade dislocations.
• The impact of surgical AC joint stabilization on return to sports has not been thoroughly investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate, level, and time to return to sports after AC joint stabilization.
• To assess the influence of overhead sports participation on post-operative sports activity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 68 patients with Rockwood type V AC joint dislocation treated with the TightRope technique.
• Fifty-five patients completed questionnaires on pre- and post-operative sports activity, with differentiation between overhead and non-overhead sports.
• Clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated; level of evidence was IV.

Main Results:

• 95.3% of patients returned to sports at a median follow-up of 24 months.
• 63% resumed their pre-injury sport, while others adapted or reduced intensity/frequency.
• Overhead athletes experienced significantly more activity reduction (53.8% vs. 11.8%) and longer return times (9.5 vs. 4.5 months).

Conclusions:

• The majority of patients return to sports following AC joint stabilization, albeit after a significant recovery period.
• Overhead athletes represent a distinct group requiring longer rehabilitation and greater modifications to their sports activities.
• These findings are crucial for guiding therapeutic decisions, prognosis, and rehabilitation assessment after AC joint injuries.