OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome of displaced acromioclavicular (AC) injuries in polytrauma patients. DESIGN: A matched, case-control study using a prospectively gathered trauma database. METHODS: Twelve polytrauma patients with a concomitant displaced acromioclavicular joint injury were matched to polytrauma patients without an acromioclavicular joint injury and to patients with an isolated displaced acromioclavicular joint injury. They were evaluated with a series of five shoulder questionnaires and the SF-36 general health status questionnaire. RESULTS: Shoulder function in polytrauma/acromioclavicular joint injured patients was consistently worse than in control patients with an isolated acromioclavicular joint injury. In addition, the presence of an acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytrauma patient had a negative effect on several components of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: A displaced acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytrauma patient has a greater effect on shoulder function than isolated acromioclavicular joint injuries when evaluated by both disease-specific and general health outcomes. Standard treatment methods may be inadequate for this group of patients.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional outcome of displaced acromioclavicular (AC) injuries in polytraumapatients. DESIGN: A matched, case-control study using a prospectively gathered trauma database. METHODS: Twelve polytraumapatients with a concomitant displaced acromioclavicular joint injury were matched to polytraumapatients without an acromioclavicular joint injury and to patients with an isolated displaced acromioclavicular joint injury. They were evaluated with a series of five shoulder questionnaires and the SF-36 general health status questionnaire. RESULTS: Shoulder function in polytrauma/acromioclavicular joint injured patients was consistently worse than in control patients with an isolated acromioclavicular joint injury. In addition, the presence of an acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytraumapatient had a negative effect on several components of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: A displaced acromioclavicular joint injury in a polytraumapatient has a greater effect on shoulder function than isolated acromioclavicular joint injuries when evaluated by both disease-specific and general health outcomes. Standard treatment methods may be inadequate for this group of patients.
Authors: Quirine M J van der Vliet; Yassine Ochen; Michael F McTague; Michael J Weaver; Falco Hietbrink; Roderick M Houwert; Luke P H Leenen; Marilyn Heng Journal: OTA Int Date: 2019-11-22