Recent Trends in Mangement of Acromio-clavicular Joint Injuries

Abstract

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a diarthoidal joint of the plan e variety that located between the lateral end of the clavicle and the medial margin of the acromion process. The AC joint is the only articulation between the clavicle an d t h e scapula. The articular surfaces are not perfectly congruent and a fibrocartilagenous meniscus is interposed between them, which is frequently complete. The AC joint is supported by the AC ligaments, which control t h e horizontal stability and the coracoclavicular ligament which is divided into two parts, the coniod and trapezoid ligament which control the vertical stability. There is also dynamic stabilization produced by deltoid and trapezius muscles. The joint shows slight gliding and rotator movements. Healthy AC joint is important for full shoulder motions. Injury to the AC joint is one of the more common injuries to the shoulder girdle. The subcutaneous position of the joint makes it prone to injury. Most of these injuries are the result of sporting events; however, they commonly occur in motor vehicle accidents and other high-energy trauma. The most widely accepted classification system used today is that developed by Rockwood et al. (1989)