Acromio-clavicular Dislocation Type III - Conservative Treatment Versus Surgical Hook Plate Treatment

Acromio-clavicular Joint Dislocation Type III. Conservative Treatment Compared to Surgical Management With 3.5mm Clavicle Hook Plate. A Prospective Randomized Study

Acromio-clavicular (AC) joint dislocation corresponds to 8.6% of all joint dislocations and represents a major injury to the shoulder girdle. The nature of the treatment is decided according to the severity of the lesion.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the surgical treatment is required or not for type III AC joint dislocations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• men or women ≥ 18 years-old;
• AC joint dislocation type III with Zanca X-ray view demonstrating CC distance of 200%;
• trauma-surgery delay of less than 14 days;
• consent form signed.

Exclusion Criteria:

• AC joint dislocation type I, II, IV, V or VI;
• associated neuro-vascular damage;
• men or women > 60 years-old;
• open dislocation;
• local skin damage;
• dislocation in a polytrauma patient;
• floating shoulder;
• fracture of the ipsilateral or controlateral arm or shoulder girdle;
• fracture of the coracoid process of the scapula;
• history of previous surgery to the shoulder;
• medical condition preventing surgery;
• men or women unfit to consent;
• any other condition that make the examinator thinks that the follow up would be problematic.