This surgery repairs a severe separation injury of the AC joint in your shoulder. This is where your clavicle meets your scapula. With a severe separation injury, the ligaments that connect these bones are torn. The clavicle shifts out of position.
What is the AC Joint?
What Kind of Problems Occur at the AC Joint?
The most common problems that occur at the AC joint are arthritis, fractures and “separations.” Arthritis is a condition characterized by loss of cartilage in the joint. Like arthritis at other joints in the body, it is characterized by pain and swelling, especially with activity. Over time, the joint can wear out, leading to swelling and formation of spurs around the joint. These spurs are a symptom of the arthritis and not the primary cause of the pain. Motions which aggravate arthritis at the AC joint include reaching across the body toward the other arm. AC joint arthritis is common in weight lifters, especially with the bench press, and (to a lesser extent) military press. AC joint arthritis may also be present when there are rotator cuff problems.
How Do You Treat Arthritis of the AC Joint?
There is currently no way to replace the cartilage that is damaged by arthritis. As a result, the primary way to control the symptoms of arthritis is to modify your activities so as not to aggravate the condition. Application of ice to the joint helps decrease pain and inflammation. Medication including aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal drugs anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also used commonly.
What Can Be Done If Those Treatments Do Not Work?
long or arthroscopically using several small incisions. Regardless of the technique utilized, the recovery and results are about the same. Most patients have full motion by six weeks and return to sports by 12 weeks.
What Is An AC Separation?
When the AC joint is “separated” it means that the ligaments connecting the acromion and clavicle have been damaged, and the two structures no longer line up correctly. AC separations can be anywhere from mild to severe, and AC separations are “graded” depending upon which ligaments are torn and how badly they are torn.
Grade I Injury — the least damage is done, and the AC joint still lines up.
Grade II Injury — damage to the ligaments which reinforce the AC joint. In a grade II injury these ligaments are only stretched but not entirely torn. When stressed, the AC joint becomes painful and unstable.
Grade III Injury — AC and secondary ligaments are completely torn and the collarbone is no longer tethered to the shoulder blade, resulting in a visible deformity.
What is the Treatment for AC Separation?
These can be very painful injuries, so the initial treatment is to decrease pain. This is best accomplished by immobilizing the arm in a sling, and placing an ice pack to the shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes every two hours as needed. Acetaminophen and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can also help the pain. As the pain starts to subside, it is important to begin moving the fingers, wrist, and elbow, and eventually the shoulder in order to prevent a stiff or “frozen” shoulder. Instruction on when and how much to move the shoulder should be provided by your physician, physical therapist, or certified athletic trainer. The length of time needed to regain full motion and function depends on the severity or grade of the injury. Recovery from a Grade I AC separation usually takes 10 to 14 days, whereas a Grade III may take six to eight weeks.
When is Surgery Indicated?
Grade I and II separations very rarely require surgery. Even Grade III injuries usually allow return to full activity with few restrictions. In some cases a painful lump may persist, necessitating partial clavicle excision in selected individuals such as high caliber throwing athletes. Surgery can be very successful in these cases, but as always, the benefits must be weighed against the potential risks.