[Open reduction and single screw fixation of acromioclavicular dislocation]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Shoulder Joint Anatomy

Background:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations are common shoulder injuries.
• Surgical intervention is often required for severe AC joint separations.
• Understanding long-term outcomes and functional impact is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term outcomes of open reduction and single-screw fixation for AC joint dislocations.
• To assess the correlation between subjective patient complaints and objective clinical findings.
• To determine the influence of post-operative arthrotic changes and ligament calcification on shoulder function.

Main Methods:

• Open reduction of the dislocated AC joint.
• Fixation using a single screw.
• Prolonged clinical follow-up including subjective and objective assessments.
• Radiographic evaluation for arthrotic changes and calcification.

Main Results:

• Satisfactory joint alignment achieved with single-screw fixation.
• A pain-free pseudarthrosis was a common outcome.
• No significant correlation found between subjective complaints and objective findings during long-term follow-up.
• Arthrotic changes and ligament calcification did not negatively impact joint movement or shoulder function.

Conclusions:

• Open reduction and single-screw fixation is an effective treatment for AC joint dislocations, yielding good alignment and pain-free pseudarthrosis.
• Long-term outcomes are favorable, with subjective and objective findings often diverging.
• Post-operative arthrotic changes and ligament calcification are part of the normal healing process and do not impair shoulder function.