Osteolysis of the distal part of the clavicle was diagnosed in forty-six
men, none of whom had a history of acute injury to the acromioclavicular
area. All patients were athletes and forty-five lifted weights as part of
their training. Pain and tenderness at the acromioclavicular joint
associated with radiographic signs of osteoporosis, loss of subchondral
bone detail, and cystic changes in the distal part of the clavicle were
present in varying degrees. Joint scintigraphy showed increased activity in
the distal part of the clavicle in all patients. Resection of the distal
end of the clavicle in twenty-one patients, four with bilateral procedures,
resulted in relief of symptoms in the nineteen who were followed. All but
five of these patients were able to continue their sports activities and
weight-training. The twenty-five patients who were not operated on also had
improvement, but only after cessation or change of their sports activity
and avoidance of weight-training.