Management of Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries

Acromioclavicular separations are one of the most common shoulder injuries seen in young athletes. They usually result as a direct blow to the shoulder. Several ligaments stabilize the clavicle to the scapula. The anterior, posterior, inferior, and superior acromioclavicular ligaments stabilize the clavicle to the acromion, with the superior ligament being most important. The coracoclavicular ligaments, the conoid and trapezoid, are strong ligaments which stabilize the clavicle to the coracoid process of the scapula. Separations are divided into 6 types (Rockwood, 1984), and treatment is decided upon on the basis of the type of separation.