Acromioclavicular joint biomechanics: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is crucial for shoulder function.
• Understanding its biomechanical properties is essential for diagnosing and treating injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review biomechanical studies on the AC joint.
• To identify trends in translational parameters and ligamentous contributions.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases.
• Inclusion of 11 biomechanical papers, excluding non-cadaveric or reconstruction studies.
• Extraction and summarization of translational data (anterior, posterior, superior, inferior).

Main Results:

• Eleven papers from six countries, totaling 141 specimens, were reviewed.
• Sectioning of AC ligaments increased anterior-posterior (AP) laxity more than superior-inferior (SI) laxity.
• Sectioning of coracoclavicular ligaments increased SI laxity more than AP laxity.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights AP and SI constraints of the intact and ligament-sectioned AC joint.
• Inconsistent testing parameters and limited translation studies necessitate improved biomechanical research for shoulder stability.
• Standardized AC joint assessment is crucial for advancing foundational research.