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Acromioclavicular joint injury - type III

Case contributed by Carlos Ignacio Canet
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Patient with a history of trauma. Presents pain on elevation and abduction of the shoulder

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Separation of the AC joint with superior displacement of the clavicle relative to the acromion. Disruption of the AC joint capsule and the AC ligaments. In addition, there is a total disruption of the CC ligaments.

Case Discussion

The findings are consistent with a type III acromion-clavicular dislocation in the Rockwood classification, where the clavicle is elevated above the superior border of the acromion but the coracoclavicular distance is less than twice normal (i.e. <25 mm). Both the AC and CC ligaments present total disruption.

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