Timing of Surgical Treatment for High-Grade Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries Does Not Affect Functional Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations are common shoulder injuries.
• The optimal timing for surgical intervention in AC joint separations remains a topic of debate.
• Patient-reported outcomes are crucial for evaluating treatment effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the timing of AC joint surgery and patient-reported functional outcomes.
• To determine if early versus delayed surgical intervention influences postoperative results.
• To account for potential confounding variables in the analysis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 221 patients undergoing primary AC joint surgery (Rockwood grade III-V) between 2010-2019.
• Data collected included time from injury to surgery, injury grade, surgical technique, and postoperative outcomes (ASES, SANE scores, radiographic measurements).
• Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between surgical timing and outcomes, controlling for confounding factors.

Main Results:

• No significant relationship was found between the time from injury to surgery and postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) or Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores.
• Significant differences in baseline characteristics (age, BMI, injury grade, surgical technique, CC distance) existed between early and delayed surgery groups.
• Female patients reported lower ASES scores compared to male patients, independent of surgical timing.

Conclusions:

• The timing of surgery for AC joint separation does not appear to affect functional outcomes.
• Patient sex was identified as a factor associated with ASES scores.
• Further research may explore other factors influencing outcomes in AC joint surgery.