Osteolysis of the distal clavicle: Long-term results of arthroscopic resection

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of arthrosco pic distal clavicle resection by the direct superior approach for treatment of isolated osteolysis of the distal clavicle. Type of Study: Case series. Materials and Methods: Forty-one shoulders in 37 patients underwent arthro scopic resection of the distal clavicle. Thirty-three patients were male an d 4 female, with an average age of 39 years. All patients complained of pai n localized to the acromioclavicular joint region. Symptoms began after a t raumatic event in 18 shoulders and were associated with repetitive stressfu l activity in 23 shoulders. Results: At an average follow-up of 6.2 years, 22 shoulders had excellent results, 16 had good results, and 3 were failure s. All 3 failures occurred in patients with a traumatic etiology. Conclusio ns: Arthroscopic resection for osteolysis of the distal clavicle has result s comparable to open excision with low morbidity. Patients with a traumatic etiology had slightly worse results compared with patients with a microtra umatic etiology.