Do intra-articular pathologies accompanying symptomatic acromioclavicular joint degeneration vary across age groups?
Mustafa Özer1, Muhammet Baybars Ataoğlu2, Mehmet Çetinkaya3, Tacettin Ayanoğlu4, Ahmet Yiğit Kaptan2, Ulunay Kanatlı2
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Erzincan University Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey
4Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Yozgat City Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey
Keywords: Acromioclavicular joint, arthroscopy, distal clavicle resection, rotator cuff tear, superior labrum anterior posterior lesion.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the accompanying intraarticular pathologies in patients who underwent arthroscopic distal clavicle resection (DCR) for symptomatic acromioclavicular (AC) joint degeneration based on age groups and to reveal which additional pathologies should be considered across different age groups during physical examination of patients suspected of AC joint degeneration.
Patients and methods: The study included 156 patients (55 males, 101 females; mean age 57.2±10.0 years; range, 35 to 80 years) who underwent arthroscopic DCR between January 2006 and December 2017 and had at least one clinical positive test for AC joint degeneration during the preoperative physical examination. The patients were divided into three groups as those aged 65 years (group 3). The concomitant intra-articular pathologies were evaluated across different age groups and compared between the groups.
Results: Concomitant intra-articular pathologies were detected in 117 (75%) of a total of 156 patients. Additional pathology rate increased with increasing age (p=0.002). More than one concomitant intraarticular pathologies were detected in 37 patients (23.7%). This rate increased with increasing age (p=0.002). The number of patients with superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesion as the only additional pathology was 33 (21.2%). This rate decreased with increasing age (p=0.015). In group 1, the rate of concomitant SLAP lesion was 44.1%.
Conclusion: The high incidence of intra-articular pathologies accompanying symptomatic AC joint degeneration raises the importance of careful physical examination, detailed imaging, and arthroscopic surgery to obtain good results in patients scheduled for DCR. The frequency of AC joint degeneration and concomitant SLAP lesions, particularly in younger patients, should be considered during clinical examinations.