ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT
INJURIES
Mechanism of injury:-
fall on the shoulder with the arm adducted may strain
or tear the acromioclavicular ligaments and upward
subluxation of the clavicle may occur; if the force is
severe enough, the coracoclavicular ligaments will also
be torn, resulting in complete dislocation of the joint
Pathological anatomy and classification
Acromioclavicular joint injuries (a) Normal joint. (b) Sprained acromioclavicular joint; no displacement. (c) Torn
capsule and subluxation but coracoclavicular ligaments intact. (d) Dislocation with torn coracoclavicular ligaments.
Clinical features
the area may be bruised. there is tenderness but no
deformity, the injury is probably a sprain or a subluxation.
With dislocation the patient is in severe pain
and a prominent step can be seen and felt.
Treatment:-Sprains and subluxations do not affect function and
do not require any special treatment.
Complications
Rotator cuff syndrome
Unreduced dislocation
Ossification of the ligaments
Secondary osteoarthritis
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