Sonographic Measurement of Dynamic Horizontal Instability in Acromioclavicular Joint Instability: Description of a Simple Technique and Correlation to Radiographic Parameters

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2022-02, Vol.41 (2), p.409-415
• Main Authors: Bockmann, Benjamin, Venjakob, Arne Johannes, Thrasyvoulidis, Giorgos, Holschen, Malte, Schulte, Tobias Ludger, Nebelung, Wolfgang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acromioclavicular Joint - diagnostic imaging; Adult; Clavicle - diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Joint Instability - diagnostic imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.1002/jum.15719

Dynamic horizontal instability is considered to be the main reason for poor outcome after treatment for acromioclavicular (AC) joint instability. In this study, we describe a simple technique to quantify this pathology via sonography. Thirty-six shoulders from 18 patients with ac joint instabilities were examined using modified Alexander views and a standardized sonographic examination. On the Alexander views, overlap of acromion and clavicle (OLAC), glenoid center to posterior clavicle distance (GCPC), and lateral extension (LE) were measured. Afterwards, the results were analyzed and compared with sonography. Posterior translation of the clavicle and the difference of translation between healthy and injured shoulder were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 39 ± 14 years (range 19-61 years). We included 4 (22%) Rockwood type 3, 1 (6%) Rockwood type 4, and 13 (72%) Rockwood type 5 lesions. Four (22%) patients were female and 14 (78%) male patients. Posterior clavicle translation of the injured shoulder correlated strongly between OLAC and sonography (r = -0.514, P = .029), and the difference of translation between healthy and injured shoulder correlated very strongly between LE and sonography (r = 0.737, P