Acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Acromioclavicular joint dislocation is mostly caused by direct external force. In sports settings, it is generally diagnosed through symptoms such as swelling, deformity, and tenderness in the acromioclavicular joint. If the end of the clavicle appears significantly elevated, you can suspect an acromioclavicular joint dislocation.
 
Please look at the diagram below.
 
 

Treatment policy

 
There are variations in treatment policies between doctors and facilities. Some judo therapists and trainers state that acromioclavicular joint dislocation does not interfere with sports activities, and this opinion is widely shared across Japan. However, some individuals experience pain in the acromioclavicular joint area when engaging in sports while using tape, moving the shoulder significantly, or touching the opposite shoulder. Therefore, if your doctor advises against surgery, please keep the above points in mind and discuss the prognosis with your doctor.
If you undergo surgery, numerous procedures have been reported over time. The fact that there are many types of surgeries indicates that each has its pros and cons. The surgery depicted below (please insert Slide 2) is called coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. It involves drilling holes in the clavicle and coracoid process and sandwiching them with metal buttons and strong sutures. During the process, the coracoclavicular ligament is expected to naturally heal.
 

Result

 
It is important to focus on rehabilitation and avoid rushing. The issue with shoulder acromioclavicular surgery is that the healing of the coracoclavicular ligament takes time to achieve sufficient strength, and it may not fully return to its pre-injury state. As a result, mild subluxation of the acromioclavicular joint can occur. In many cases, this subluxation does not pose a significant problem. However, it is crucial to remember that rushing rehabilitation can lead to subluxation.