Acromioclavicular dislocation and fracture tend to occur in contact sports such as Judo, wrestling and so on.

Disease Overview

Introduction

Acromioclabicular dislocation and clavicle fracture may result from contact sports, such as rugby, American Football, football (soccer), Judo, wrestling, as well as bicycle races, skiing, snowboarding and motorcycle falls. This section focuses on acromioclavicular dislocation.

Causes and mechanism of onset

The cause may be a direct fall on the shoulder or a fall on the elbow, where the impact acts as an external force to the shoulder, causing the acromioclavicular joint capsule to break down and dislocate.

Anatomy

The acromioclavicular joint is a planar joint that connects the distal clavicle to the acromion of the scapula. Other than the joint capsule, stability of the acromioclavicular joint is protected by the acromioclavicular ligament which connects the acromion with the clavicle, and the coracoclavicular ligament between the coracoid process and the clavicle. Menisus discs are present within the joint. Injuries (dislocations) of the acromioclavicular joint are divided into three types.

Grade 1: There are only minor injuries of the ligament, as well as sprains, with no apparent displacement of the joint on the X-ray (Photo 1). Palpation shows no prominent acromioclavicular joint but mild tenderness.

Photo 1: Acromioclavicular dislocation (Grade 1)

Grade 2: There is an injury to the acromioclavicular ligament, shows sublixation on the X-ray. Palpation shows acromioclavicular joint tenderness and mild laxity.


Grade 3: Injury to the coracoclavicular ligament is added to the acromioclavicular ligament injury, which is seen as a complete dislocation on the X-ray (Photo 2). Palpation reveals a protrusion consistent with the acromioclavicular joint. Pressing this part reveals a floating and sinking appearance like a piano key.

Photo 2: Acromioclavicular dislocation shown with a circle (Grade 3)

Symptoms

Symptoms include pain in the acromioclavicular joint, pain during exercise, protrusion of the upper end of the distal clavicle, and pressure may cause laxity. In obsolete, the patient may complain of pain, a feeling of weakness or discomfort when elevating the shoulder, but some with subluxation may be able to perform activities without much pain or limitation of movement.

Diagnosis

Dislocations are evident on a simple X-ray, but are more obvious on a stress X-ray with weight.

Treatment and rehabilitation

Treatment

In Grade 1 and 2, conservative treatment is fundamental and triangular bandage or pressure immobilization downward would be performed for 2 to 3 weeks. In addition to lower extremity exercises, upper extremity exercises (especially except for athletes who perform overhand movements) may be performed at an early stage. Movement of the shoulder joint is reduced to flexion of 90 degrees to reduce the burden on the acromioclavicular joint. Running and exercise bike are then allowed.
In Grade 3, conservative therapy or surgery may be applied. Surgery is indicated for complete dislocations in athletes who plan to be active in the future. The dislocations are reduced, the ligaments are reconstructed, and the ligaments are stabilized with a steel wire. Return to sports takes 2 to 3 months.

Clavicular fracture

Clavicular fracture is a common sports injury, and its cause is similar to that of the acromioclavicular dislocation. Tenderness, swelling, and deformity (Photo 3) of the center or the clavicle on the front of the shoulder and severe pain occur during shoulder elevation.
As a general rule, conservative treatment with bandage in a figure of eight (about 6 to 8 weeks) is done. Professional cyclists and contact sports players who are willing to return to competition immediately are treated surgically with reduction and fixation.
Rehabilitation after removing fixation conforms to acromioclavicular dislocation. Return to sports takes 3 to 4 months.

Photo 3: Right clavicular (diaphyseal) fracture

Photo 4: Porosis after a right clavicular fracture