Acromioclavicular complete dislocation. Analysis of the operative results in 48 patients

Complete acromioclavicular separation in 48 patients was treated by operation, using Kirschner wire for fixation in 20 cases and the A--O cortical screw in 17. Late resection of the distal end of the clavicle was performed in 11 cases. Follow-up examination was performed on average two years after the operation. Attention was paid to subjective symptoms, the objective state, duration of incapacity, radiological evidence of dislocation without stress and under stress, osteoarthrosis and soft-tissue calcification. Pain, function and mobility were evaluated by a point system. In the groups primarily treated by surgery the result was at least good in 73%, fair in 16% and poor in 11%. Excellent results were noticed more often in patients under 30 years old than in those over 45 (p less than 0.01). Mobility of the shoulder joint was significantly more often normal when Kirschner wire was used for fixation than after screw fixation (p less than 0.05). Late resection gave at least a fair functional result.