Dynamic Horizontal Instability of the Acromioclavicular Joint: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Shoulder Reconstruction

Background:

• Dynamic horizontal instability of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) is a rare condition.
• Previous surgical treatments for this specific ACJ instability have often resulted in residual instability or pain.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old female with a history of shoulder trauma presented with dynamic horizontal ACJ instability.
• The patient underwent open ACJ reconstruction utilizing a gracilis allograft.

Findings:

• The surgical intervention demonstrated a satisfactory clinical outcome at the 1-year follow-up.
• This case represents the seventh reported instance of dynamic pure horizontal ACJ instability in the literature.

Implications:

• This successful outcome suggests that open ACJ reconstruction with gracilis allograft can be an effective treatment for dynamic horizontal ACJ instability.
• Further research may explore this technique for managing similar rare shoulder joint instabilities.