A Variant Rockwood-Type Traumatic Inferior Acromioclavicular Joint Separation without Concomitant Fracture: A Case...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Inferior acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation is a rare shoulder girdle injury.
• Such injuries can result from significant axial loading of the shoulder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the successful operative management of a left inferior AC joint separation.
• To evaluate the functional outcomes and radiographic stability following surgical treatment.

Main Methods:

• A case of inferior AC joint separation treated with open reduction and internal fixation.
• Follow-up included clinical assessment using the Constant shoulder score and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index.
• Radiographic evaluation was performed to assess joint stability.

Main Results:

• Excellent functional outcome at 13 months: Constant score of 97/100.
• High patient-reported outcome: Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index of 97.5%.
• Radiographs demonstrated no signs of recurrent instability.

Conclusions:

• Open reduction and internal fixation can provide favorable results for rare inferior AC joint separations.
• Surgical intervention is a viable option for managing this type of shoulder girdle injury.