Editorial Commentary: Early Surgery and Restricted Rehabilitation Are Recommended for High-Grade Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

Despite acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries being common, there are still controversies about the treatment; nonoperative versus surgical, who to operate, when to operate, which technique to use, and which rehabilitation protocol to use. Orthopaedic surgeons are often faced with these patients fearing not regaining normal function and to some degree acceptable cosmetic outcomes. Despite increasing interest in surgical management of type 3 AC joint injuries, surgical management has not been demonstrated to yield superior functional outcomes compared with nonoperative treatment. Interestingly, studies have demonstrated that good outcomes are achieved with most surgical techniques even though they are all associated with loss of initial reduction. This brings into question whether surgery is necessary in the early phase and how we can mitigate the effects of gravity to maintain reduction. Studies that can aid surgeons in patient selection for treatment protocols (nonoperative versus surgical) and timing of surgery are needed. We recommend early surgery, and restricted rehabilitation, for high-grade acromioclavicular joint dislocation.