Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of High-Grade Acromioclavicular Injuries: A Systematic Review and...

This meta-analysis investigated differences between operative and nonoperative management for functional, as well as radiological, outcomes in Rockwood III-V acromioclavicular (AC) injuries. A literature search of several databases was conducted including Elsevier, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to May 28, 2024. Included studies reported patients older than 16 years with a diagnosis of AC joint (ACJ) injury of Rockwood grade III or higher. This review was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023431602). Thirteen studies met the eligibility criteria (n = 729) of patients receiving either operative or nonoperative treatment for acute AC injuries. At 24-48 months follow-up, constant score outcomes favored the operative group compared to the nonoperative group (MD = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.14, 4.62; I² = 66%). Radiological outcomes were in favor of the operative group such that the ACJ width was narrower (MD = -5.60, 95% CI: -6.67, -4.54; I² = 11%), and the incidence of ACJ dislocations/subluxation was less compared to the nonoperative group (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.07; I² = 0%). More patients in the nonoperative group had "good" subjective evaluation of results compared to the operative group (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.90; I² = 80%). There were 54 (18.3%) complications in the operative group. On the other hand, there were 39 (15.9%) adverse events in the nonoperative group. Operative management of Rockwood III-V AC injuries appears to confer greater functional and radiological patient outcomes. Further long-term research is required to elucidate whether this remains longitudinally, with specific investigation for individual Rockwood grading.