Acromioclavicular dislocation, conservative versus surgical treatment

ABSTRACT

In this study, 30 patients with grade 3 acromioclavicular dislocation were evaluated to determine the outcomes of nonoperative and operative management. They were divided into two groups; operative and nonoperative. The operative management consisted of open reduction of the dislocation and fixation by 2 Kirschner wires together with a repair of the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments. The nonoperative management consisted of short-term immobilization with an early range of motion and rehabilitation. A follow up evaluation was performed for a range of three months to two years after injury. The results indicated that the operative management was superior to the nonoperative management as regards time to attain completely pain free status, the patients subjective impression of pain, range of motion and functional limitation: