"If You Dislocate Your Shoulder in a Fall"—Which of Three Surgeries Should You Choose? [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Which surgical technique is most effective for an acromioclavicular joint dislocation caused by falling or hitting the shoulder during sports? Moon Sung-chul, director of Nanoori Hospital, has presented research directly comparing three surgical techniques.
Moon's comparative study of surgical techniques for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation was selected as a poster presentation for ICSES 2026 (International Congress on Shoulder and Elbow Surgery), an international academic conference on shoulder and elbow surgery.
The study, titled "Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Surgery for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Comparison of Three Surgical Techniques," examined 68 patients with Rockwood type III to V acromioclavicular joint dislocations who underwent surgery between April 2022 and March 2024.
An acromioclavicular joint dislocation occurs when the joint becomes misaligned after the ligaments connecting the acromion of the shoulder blade and the clavicle are damaged. It is usually caused by trauma, such as falling or forcefully hitting the shoulder during sports activities. Surgery may be necessary when the injury is severe.
Moon compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of three surgical techniques: coracoacromial ligament reconstruction, a modified Phemister technique reinforced with four sutures, and AO clavicular hook plate fixation.
All three surgical techniques produced favorable clinical outcomes. In particular, the modified Phemister technique and AO hook plate fixation were effective in restoring the joint to its normal position after surgery. AO hook plate fixation also effectively maintained joint alignment during the 12-month follow-up.
However, osteolysis was observed in approximately 15% of patients who underwent AO hook plate fixation during long-term follow-up. Some patients who underwent ligament reconstruction also experienced loss of reduction, in which the surgically restored joint became misaligned again. Based on these findings, the researchers suggested that the modified Phemister technique, which reinforces the coracoclavicular ligament with four sutures, could be an effective treatment for acromioclavicular joint dislocation.
Moon Sung-chul said, "It is important to select the appropriate surgical technique based on the severity of the injury and the patient's condition. This study allowed us to compare the effectiveness and limitations of each technique. We will continue researching ways to reliably restore shoulder function and improve treatment outcomes for patients."
ICSES 2026 will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from September 22 to 25. The international academic conference will bring together experts from around the world in the field of shoulder and elbow surgery. This year, a total of 1,708 abstracts were submitted from 45 countries, and a separate session will address acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation and its surgical treatment.
 


[email protected] Medical Specialist Moon Sung-chul Reporter