Keywords
Traumatology
Dislocation
Acromioclavicular Joint
Treatment
How to Cite
Abstract
Acromioclavicular joint dislocation is one of the most common shoulder injuries in the active sports population, as well as in trauma resulting from automobile accidents. The surgical issue in cases classified as Rockwood type III is still controversial. Aim: To evaluate the effects (benefits and harms) of surgical versus conservative (non-surgical) interventions in the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocations in adults.
Search methods: A systematic review was carried out by searching the BMED/MEDLINE database using the following search strategy: “Rockwood type III” AND “acromioclavicular dislocation” AND (surgical OR non-surgical).
Results: Eight randomized clinical trials involving 464 patients, mainly young male adults, with acute acromioclavicular dislocation were included in this review. The results strength was limited due to study design characteristics, invariably lack of blinding.
Evidence Synthesis: There is low-quality evidence that surgical treatment does not bring additional benefits in terms of function, return to previous activities and quality of life in one year, when compared to conservative treatment. There is, however, low-quality evidence that patients treated conservatively have improved function within six weeks compared with surgical treatment.
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