Question:
Three Years ago I was diagnosed and had surgery for AVN of the Left Clavicle Acromion Joint when 3 cm of bone was removed off the end of the clavicle. A month ago I was diagnosed with AVN same place of the right shoulder and surgery is scheduled for May 9th. I have pain in shoulders and back. Is this the proper surgery to have for this condition or in your opinion should something else be done?
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| Dr. Hasan |
Dr. Hasan is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, elbow, and general orthopaedic problems. Dr. Hasan has received the M.D. degree and a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering, both from Vanderbilt University. He completed residency training at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago followed by fellowship training at both the University of Washington and the Texas Orthopaedic Hospital in Houston.
Dr. Hasan has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research efforts at national and international orthopaedic conferences.
Dr. Hasan’s areas of interest include: arthroscopic and open surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee as well as joint replacement surgery. He currently practices at Cincinnati Sportsmedicine and Orthopaedic Center.
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Answer:
I am very familiar with AVN of the glenohumeral joint, but unfamiliar with AVN of the AC joint. Perhaps you are referring to osteolysis of the AC joint which is seen in young weightlifters, or arthritis of the AC joint, which is common. If it is the latter, then resection of the distal clavicle is reasonable, if all other options have been exhausted. However, one normally resects only the last 1cm to 1.5 cm of the joint (not 3cm as you suggest).
