Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation in a 16-Year-Old High-Level Basketball Player – Case Report of a Rare Injury in Children
João Lucas1*, Miguel Rocha1, Rui Matos1, Patrícia Cunha1, Tiago Barbosa1, Carlos Vilela1, Ana Batista1
1Orthopedics Department, ULS Alto Ave, Guimara es, Portugal.
*Corresponding Author: Joao Lucas, Orthopedics Department, ULS Alto Ave, Guimara es, Portugal.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2025.05.009
Received: April 12, 2025
Published: April 30, 2025
Citation: Lucas J, Rocha M, Matos R, Cunha P, Barbosa T, Vilela C, Batista A. Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation in a 16-Year-Old High-Level Basketball Player – Case Report of a Rare Injury in Children. SVOA Orthopaedics 2025, 5:2, 51-55. doi: 10.58624/SVOAOR.2025.05.009
Abstract
Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries are uncommon in adolescents because their ligaments are particularly strong at this age. Therefore, in an immature skeleton, injuries to the lateral clavicle more likely result in physeal fractures rather than coracoclavicular ligaments disruption. This report presents the case of a 16-year-old male patient, high-level basketball player, who sustained a high-grade ACJ dislocation following sports-related trauma. Clinical examination and imaging confirmed a Rockwood Type V ACJ dislocation. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal treatment for these injuries, however given his young age, activity level, and functional demands, an arthroscopy assisted coracoclavicular (CC) fixation was performed. Postoperatively, the patient followed a structured rehabilitation program, initially involving immobilization followed by progressive physiotherapy.
Keywords: Acromioclavicular joint dislocation; Arthroscopy; Sports medicine.