Phil Holland Shoulder Consultant
What is an acromioclavicular joint injury?
Having an operation to fix a clavicle fracture may reduce the risk of it not healing, provide pain relief and allow you to get back to normal activities quicker.
What grades of acromioclavicular joint injuries are there?
Sometimes the plate can be felt underneath the skin, it can be removed six months after surgery if it is causing irritiation. A numb patch on the front of the shoulder under the scar is common but isn't usually troublesome.
With surgery the clavicle is more likely to heal than without surgery, however, there is still a small risk of it not healing which would require another operation.
Uncommon but serious complications include infections and damage to the blood vessels underneath the clavicle.
Should I have surgery for my acromioclavicular joint dislocation?
If your clavicle fracture is displaced or the clavicle is shortened by overlapping like in the X-rays below you should discuss surgery with an orthopaedic consultant.
Having an operation to fix a clavicle fracture may reduce the risk of it not healing, provide pain relief and allow you to get back to normal activities quicker.
What grades of acromioclavicular joint injuries are there?
Sometimes the plate can be felt underneath the skin, it can be removed six months after surgery if it is causing irritiation. A numb patch on the front of the shoulder under the scar is common but isn't usually troublesome.
With surgery the clavicle is more likely to heal than without surgery, however, there is still a small risk of it not healing which would require another operation.
Uncommon but serious complications include infections and damage to the blood vessels underneath the clavicle.
Should I have surgery for my acromioclavicular joint dislocation?
If your clavicle fracture is displaced or the clavicle is shortened by overlapping like in the X-rays below you should discuss surgery with an orthopaedic consultant.