[Injuries of the acromioclavicular joint (author's transl)]

This paper deals with the biomechanics and the injuries of the acromioclavicular joint, which are graded I-III according to Tossy. Incomplete dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint are treated conservatively by immobilisation of the shoulder with Gilchrist's or Desault's bandage. Complete dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint should be treated operatively with ligament suture or plasty and temporary fixation of acromioclavicular joint by two drill wires combined with tension band. In postoperative treatment the shoulder should be immobilised for two weeks by Gilchrist's or Desault's bandage. After these two weeks all movements should be allowed to 90 degrees. The internal fixation material should be removed six weeks after the first operation. We report the results of 19 complete dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint, treated operatively from 1975-1979. 13 patients could be seen in the follow-up examination. In 10 cases the functional result was good, two patients had little restriction of movement. In one case, where the fixation material had been removed only eight weeks ago, the movements of the shoulder were markedly restricted.