ARTHROSCOPY OF THE ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT

For many years the Mumford procedure or open resection of the distal c lavicle has been the procedure of: choice for the treatment of recalci trant acromioclavicular joint pain. With advancement in shoulder arthr oscopy and bursoscopy, arthroscopic resection of the distal clavicle c an reproduce similar excellent results, avoiding some of the risks of the open procedure, including joint instability and muscle weakness. T he arthroscopist can select from two approaches, a direct or superior approach or the indirect or subacromial approach. Both approaches are effective if the resection is performd in a systematic fashion and the amount of resection measured postoperatively. The authors have attemp ted to describe the pertinent anatomy of the acromioclavicular joint, clinical indications, and surgical technique for arthroscopic resectio n of the distal clavicle.