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OrthoVellum

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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries - Rockwood Classification and Treatment

Shoulder Trauma

A 28-year-old rugby player presents after falling onto the point of his right shoulder during a tackle. Examination reveals tenderness over the AC joint with obvious superior displacement of the lateral clavicle. He can depress the clavicle but it springs back up (piano key sign positive). AP radiograph shows the CC distance is 16mm on the injured side compared to 10mm on the contralateral side. An axillary view is obtained. The surgeon discusses the treatment options including conservative management versus surgical stabilization. Regarding acromioclavicular joint injuries and the Rockwood classification:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The CC LIGAMENTS (conoid and trapezoid) provide VERTICAL stability while AC ligaments provide HORIZO...

B

ROCKWOOD CLASSIFICATION: Type I = AC sprain (conservative); Type II = AC torn, CC sprain (conservati...

C

Type III AC injuries should ALL be treated surgically; AP radiograph alone is sufficient to distingu...

D

AXILLARY VIEW is MANDATORY to distinguish Type III from Type IV (posterior displacement looks like T...

E

HOOK PLATE is suitable for ACUTE injuries only (must be removed at 3-4 MONTHS to prevent complicatio...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option