2026 SLARD Annual Meeting: Surgical Treatment of Type III Acromioclavicular Dislocations Produces Better UCLA Scores and Similar Dash Scores and Range of Motion Compared to Conservative Treatment

70 patients with acute Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocations were randomized to receive surgical treatment with a modified Weaver-Dunn technique or nonoperative treatment. After loss to follow-up, 60 patients (30 per group) were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, scapular dyskinesia, range of motion, radiographic alignment, aesthetic satisfaction, return to sport, and complications. Outcomes were assessed over 24 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the surgical group achieved significantly higher UCLA scores and lower rates of aesthetic dissatisfaction, while DASH scores, range of motion, return to sport, and complication rates were similar between groups. These findings suggest that surgical treatment may improve shoulder function and cosmetic satisfaction without providing clear advantages in disability outcomes compared with conservative management.