Coracoclavicular joint: clinical significance and correlation to gender, side and age

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of coracoclavicular joint in the Greek population, review the clinical significance for the orthopaedic surgeon and investigate differences between genders, sides and age that may contribute to a better understanding of the accessory joint development. Methods: The study was performed on the scapulae and claviculae of 140 dried skeletons taken from a local ossuary. After exclusion of damaged bones, the sample of the study consisted of 216 pairs of scapulae and claviculae. Each pair of bones was inspected for the existence of a definite articular facet on the conoid tubercle of the clavicle and also on the superomedial surface of the coracoid process of the scapula. A coracoclavicular joint was considered to be present only when both of these structures existed. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to investigate differences between the genders, sides and age of the specimens. Results: Coracoclavicular joint articular facets were found in 14 out of the 216 bone pairs examined (6.5%). A statistical significant difference was found only between the age groups. The coracoclavicular joint surfaces were significantly more frequently found in the elderly age group (p=0.002). No bones from the youngest age group (45–60 years old) demonstrated a coracoclavicular joint surface, whereas three bones from the median age group (61–75 years old) and 11 from the oldest age group (76+ years old) presented accessory joint surfaces. Conclusion: The findings of the present study favor those who claim that the coracoclavicular joint could be the result of degenerative changes. From a clinical point of view, this accessory joint may be incidentally noticed in a plain radiograph in asymptomatic patients, but has also been associated with various clinical manifestations of the shoulder region.