Management of highly displaced acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries remain contentious. It is unclear if delayed versus acute reconstruction has an increased risk of fixation failure and complications. The primary aim of this was to compare complications of early versus delayed reconstruction. The secondary aim was to determine modes of failure of ACJ reconstruction requiring revision surgery. A retrospective study was performed of all patients who underwent operative reconstruction of ACJ injuries over a 10-year period (Rockwood III-V). Reconstruction was classed as early (<12 weeks from injury) or delayed (≥12 weeks). Patient demographics, fixation method and post-operative complications were noted, with one-year follow-up a minimum requirement for inclusion. Fixation failure was defined as loss of reduction requiring revision surgery. 104 patients were analysed (n=60 early and n=44 delayed). Mean age was 42.0 (SD 11.2, 17–70 years), 84.6% male and 16/104 were smokers. No difference was observed between fixation failure (p=0.39) or deep infection (p=0.13) with regards to acute versus delayed reconstruction. No patient demographic or timing of surgery was predictive of fixation failure on regression modelling. Overall, eleven patients underwent revision surgery for loss of reduction and implant failure (n=5 suture fatigue, n=2 endo-button escape, n=2 coracoid stress fracture and n=2 deep infection). This study suggests that delayed ACJ reconstruction does not have a higher incidence of fixation failure or major complications compared to acute reconstruction. For those patients with ongoing pain and instability following a trial of non-operative treatment, delayed reconstruction would appear to be a safe treatment approach

Osteolysis has been reported following ACJ reconstruction with a synthetic graft. We present the first study into its prevalence and pattern, and its effect on patient outcome. Patients who underwent treatment of an unstable ACJ injury using the Surgilig/LockDown implant were identified via our database. Patients were invited to attend a dedicated outpatient clinic for clinical examination, radiographic evaluation, and completion of outcome scoring. Patients who were unable to attend were contacted by telephone. 49 patients were identified. We assessed 21 clinically at a mean of 7 years post-procedure (range 3–11 years). All had radiographic evidence of distal clavicle and coracoid osteolysis. We did not observe progression of osteolysis from the final post-operative radiographs. A further 13 were contacted by phone. The mean Oxford Shoulder Score was 43 (range 31–48) and mean DASH score was 8.5 (range 3–71). The average Patient Global Impression of Change score was 6 (range 2–7). Six patients underwent removal of a prominent screw at a mean of 2 years after surgery; the pattern of osteolysis was no different in this group. All patients had comparable abduction, forward flexion and internal rotation to their uninjured shoulder. We did not observe any relationship between patient demographics, position of implant or etiology and the pattern of osteolysis. Osteolysis of the distal clavicle and/or coracoid is always seen following synthetic reconstruction of the ACJ using this implant, but is non-progressive. Range of shoulder movement is largely unaffected and patient outcomes remain high

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