Acromioclavicular joint dislocation - surgical results in 36 patients

45 patients were operated on because of acromioclavicular joint dislocation in the period reviewed. 36 patients attended for follow-up examination in 1979, on an average 4.8 years after the operations. In these patients, acromioclavicular joint dislocation was surgically treated as follows: A-O cortical screw in 27 cases, two Kirschner wires in five cases, and wire loop in three cases. Repair of the coracoclavicular ligament by Henry's procedure was performed in two patients in connection with acromioclavicular joint transfixion. Late resection of the distal end of the clavicle was performed in one case. The results were good in 28 patients, fair in five and poor in three cases (Ejeskär in 1974). In cases with a poor result, the findings were: 1) increased displacement of the joint surfaces on stress radiographs, 2) disabling pain at work, 3) restriction of movement of more than 20 degrees in several directions and 4) age over 42 years at operation.