Osteolysis of the distal clavicle: long-term results of arthroscopic resection

• Published in: Arthroscopy Vol. 16; no. 6; p. 600
• Main Authors: Zawadsky, M, Marra, G, Wiater, J M, Levine, W N, Pollock, R G, Flatow, E L, Bigliani, L U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Arthralgia - etiology; Arthroscopy - methods; Clavicle - diagnostic imaging; Clavicle - injuries; Clavicle - surgery; Cumulative Trauma Disorders - complications; Cumulative Trauma Disorders - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteolysis - diagnostic imaging; Osteolysis - etiology; Osteolysis - surgery; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1526-3231
• DOI: 10.1053/jars.2000.5875

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of arthroscopic distal clavicle resection by the direct superior approach for treatment of isolated osteolysis of the distal clavicle. Case series. Forty-one shoulders in 37 patients underwent arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle. Thirty-three patients were male and 4 female, with an average age of 39 years. All patients complained of pain localized to the acromioclavicular joint region. Symptoms began after a traumatic event in 18 shoulders and were associated with repetitive stressful activity in 23 shoulders. At an average follow-up of 6.2 years, 22 shoulders had excellent results, 16 had good results, and 3 were failures. All 3 failures occurred in patients with a traumatic etiology. Arthroscopic resection for osteolysis of the distal clavicle has results comparable to open excision with low morbidity. Patients with a traumatic etiology had slightly worse results compared with patients with a microtraumatic etiology.