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The Value of Weighted Views of the Acromioclavicular Joint

Results of a Survey

John J. L. Yap, MD^*, Leigh Ann Curl, MD, Ronald S. Kvitne, MD and Edward G. McFarland, MD^*,

^* Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
Sports Medicine Service, Kernan Hospital, The University of Maryland Health Systems, Baltimore, Maryland
The Kerlan-Jobe Clinic, Santa Monica, California

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Edward G. McFarland, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 10753 Falls Road, Suite 215, Lutherville, MD 21093

One hundred twelve practicing members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons in the United States and Canada were surveyed regarding use of weighted views of the acromioclavicular joint. They were also asked about treatment for hypothetical patients seen in the emergency department or office with grade II or III acromioclavicular separations. One hundred five physicians (94%) responded to the survey. Eighty-five members (81%) did not recommend obtaining weighted views in the emergency department. Sixty members (57%) did not use weighted views, and the majority commented that weighted views had no influence on their decision-making regarding treatment. Forty-five members (43%) used weighted views, but most did not use the results of this test to determine surgical intervention. Physicians recommending weighted views averaged 21 years of practice, compared with 16 years for those who did not obtain weighted views. Only nine physicians (9%) had changed treatment on the basis of weighted views. The patient"s arm dominance, work, or athletic status did not influence most surgeons" decision to perform surgery when weighted views revealed a grade III separation. We found no correlation between obtaining weighted views and performing surgical reconstruction for patients with grade III acromioclavicular separations.

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