Extract
Acromioclavicular joint injuries—or separations, as they are commonly described—are common sports-related injuries resulting from falls or other direct forces on the superolateral aspect of the shoulder pushing the acromion in an inferior direction. Acromioclavicular joint injuries represent a spectrum of severity, ranging from a simple sprain of the acromioclavicular ligament with no displacement to widely displaced injuries associated with severe soft-tissue injury to the acromioclavicular ligament, the coracoclavicular ligament, and the deltotrapezial fascia. Treatment options vary according to the severity of the injury and logically reflect the associated soft-tissue involvement. This lecture briefly outlines the types of injuries and current recommendations for treatment.