Return to activity after anatomical reconstruction of acute high grade acromioclavicular separation
BackgroundTo evaluate return to activity (RtA) after anatomical reconstruction of acute high grade acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) separation.MethodsA total of 42 patients with anatomical reconstruction of acute high grade ACJ separation (Rockwood Type V) were surveyed to determine RtA at a mean 31 months follow up (f u) Sports disciplines, intensity, level of competition, participation in overhead and/or contact sports, as well as activity scales (DASH Sport Module, Tegner Activity Scale) were evaluated. Functional outcome evaluation included Constant score and QuickDASH.ResultsAll patients (42/42) participated in sporting activities at f u. Neither participation in overhead/contact sports, nor level of activity declined significantly (n.s. 62 (n 26) of patients reported subjective sports specific ACJ integrity to be at least the same as prior to the trauma. Sporting intensity (hours/week: 7.3 h to 5.4 h, p .004) and level of competition (p .02) were reduced. If activity changed, in 50 other reasons but clinical symptoms/impairment were named for modified behavior. QuickDASH (mean 6, range 0 54, SD 11) and DASH Sport Module (mean 6, range 0 56, SD 13) revealed only minor disabilities at f u. Over time Constant score improved significant to an excellent score (mean 94, range 86 100, SD 4; p .001) Functional outcome was not correlated with RtA (n.s..ConclusionAll patients participated in sporting activities after anatomical reconstruction of high grade (Rockwood Type V) ACJ separation. With a high functional outcome there was no significant change in activity level (Tegner) and participation in overhead and/or contact sports observed. There was no correlation between functional outcome and RtA. Limiting, there were alterations in time spent for sporting activities and level of competition observed. But in 50 those were not related to ACJ symptoms/impairment. Unrelated to successful re established integrity and function of the ACJ it should be considered that patients decided not return to activity but are very content with the procedure.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders