Arthroscopic acromioclavicular resection

Abstract

Injury to the acromioclavicular joint is common and represents the source of many shoulder-related symptoms.Frequently, nonoperative treatment regimens such as physical therapy, oral antiinflamatory medication, and corticosteroid injections resolve symptoms. However, certain patients with cases refractory to conservative therapy require an operative intervention. The traditional open resection of the distal clavicle, as described independently by Mumford and Gurd has been a reproducible and reliable surgical method of treatment in patients with posttraumatic, degenerative disease of the acromioclavicluar joint associated with osteoarthritis, distal clavicle osteolisis, fractures and separations, and shoulder impingement syndrome. Advances in arthroscopic shoulder surgery and subacromial decompression have made debridement of the acromioclavicular joint and resection of the distal clavicle a viable alternative to the open approach, avoiding complication such as AC joint instability and residual postoperative shoulder weakness, and with distinct advantages like 1) evaluation of glenohumeral joint, 2) evaluation and treatment of coexistent impingement and rotator cuff pathology, 3) generally, performed on an outpatient basis, which decreases hospital cost and increases patient convenience.