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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2022; 26(05): 597-610
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750726
Review Article

Acromioclavicular Joint Injury and Repair

James P. Baren 
1   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, United Kingdom
,
Emma Rowbotham
1   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, United Kingdom
2   NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
,
Philip Robinson
1   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, United Kingdom
2   NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Abstract

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is commonly injured in athletes participating in contact and overhead throwing sports. Injuries range from simple sprains to complete ligamentous disruption, and they are classified by the established Rockwood grading system. High-grade injuries are associated with fractures around the AC joint and disruption of the superior shoulder suspensory complex, a ring of osseous and ligamentous structures at the superior aspect of the shoulder. Radiographs are the mainstay of imaging of the AC joint, with magnetic resonance imaging reserved for high-grade injuries to aid classification and plan surgical management. Low-grade AC joint injuries tend to be managed conservatively, but a wide range of surgical procedures have been described for higher grade injuries and fractures around the AC joint. This review illustrates the anatomy of the AC joint and surrounding structures, the imaging features of AC joint injury, and the most commonly performed methods of reconstruction and their complications.

Keywords

acromioclavicular joint - anatomy - imaging - magnetic resonance imaging - acromioclavicular joint surgery

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
19 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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