| Abstract ID |
| 20260036 |
| Category |
| Shoulder: Miscellaneous |
| Preferable Presentation |
| Poster |
| Title |
| RETURN TO WORK AFTER ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT STABILIZATION SURGERY |
| Author |
|
| Presenter |
| NURULHASYIM SAPARAI |
| Abstract |
| INTRODUCTION Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) disruption is a very common injury to occur especially in active and working populations usually caused by trauma. It can be treated conservatively or surgically with respect to the degree of injuries according to Rockwood Classification. We studied the number of weeks taken for patients to return back to their work after surgical treatment of ACJ disruption. METHODS This is a retrospective case study between August 2022 until June 2024 in our clinic. Patients who underwent ACJ stabilization surgery were recruited into this study. There are a total of 12 patients with ACJ disruption grade Rockwood 5 underwent the surgery. Majority were treated with open reduction and tightrope surgery except 2 of the patients had additional hamstring autograft reconstruction due to late surgery (more than 6 weeks post trauma). All of them underwent a standardized rehabilitation programme post surgery and were followed up in the clinic until returning to work. There are equal numbers of patients working as manual labour (work related to the act of heavy object lifting, climbing vertical stairs, overhead maneuver and circular shoulder motion) and non-manual labour. RESULTS All of the patients are within the working population age group. Majority of them underwent surgery in less than 6 weeks and 2 cases were delayed due to decision making and financial constraint. Majority of the patients return to work after 6 months and most of them are doing manual labour work. DISCUSSION Despite the majority of patients undergoing early surgery post trauma, a significant number of them return back to work later than expected. This might be due to their nature of work which involves manual labour such as lorry driver, technician and fish monger. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the nature of work does affect the outcome after ACJ stabilization surgery in terms of time taken to return to work despite adherence to the post operative rehabilitation protocols. |