When should surgery be considered for an acromioclavicular joint injury?
Surgery should be considered for more severe injuries to the joint (dislocation) in patients with physically demanding occupations. The ligament can be reconstructed soon after the injury and the clavicle held back in place using a variety of techniques which either utilise a screw passed between the clavicle and the scapula, a special “hook” plate that is secured to the upper surface of the clavicle and hooks beneath the scapula or a specially designed “tightrope” suture that holds the clavicle in place. Late reconstruction of the ligament is also possible by utilising one of the other shoulder ligaments to take over the function of the torn ligaments or by using a synthetic graft.
