Rockwood classification of acromioclavicular joint injury

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The Rockwood classification (1998) is the most common classification system in use for acromioclavicular joint injuries ³. This well known 6-type system is a modification of the earlier 3-class classification system described by Allman (1967) ² and Tossy (1963).

It takes into account not only the acromioclavicular joint itself but also the coracoclavicular ligament, the deltoid and trapezius muscles, and the direction of dislocation of the clavicle with respect to the acromion. Essentially types IV, V, and VI are variants of type III ⁶.

type I: clavicle not elevated with respect to the acromion
- AC ligament: mild sprain
- CC ligament: intact
- joint capsule: intact
- deltoid muscle: intact
- trapezius muscle: intact
type II: clavicle elevated but not above the superior border of the acromion
- AC ligament: ruptured
- CC ligament: sprain
- joint capsule: ruptured
- deltoid muscle: minimally detached
- trapezius muscle: minimally detached
type III: clavicle elevated above the superior border of the acromion but coracoclavicular distance is less than twice normal (i.e. <25 mm)
- AC ligament: ruptured
- CC ligament: ruptured
- joint capsule: ruptured
- deltoid muscle: detached
- trapezius muscle: detached
type IV: clavicle displaced posterior into trapezius
- AC ligament: ruptured
- CC ligament: ruptured
- joint capsule: ruptured
- deltoid muscle: detached
- trapezius muscle: detached
type V: clavicle is markedly elevated and coracoclavicular distance is more than double normal (i.e. >25 mm)
- AC ligament: ruptured
- CC ligament: ruptured
- joint capsule: ruptured
- deltoid muscle: detached
- trapezius muscle: detached
type VI: clavicle inferiorly displaced behind coracobrachialis and biceps tendons, which is rare
- AC ligament: ruptured
- CC ligament: ruptured
- joint capsule: ruptured
- deltoid muscle: detached
- trapezius muscle: detached

-<strong>type VI: </strong>clavicle inferiorly displaced behind <a href="/articles/coracobrachialis-muscle">coracobrachialis </a>and <a href="/articles/biceps-muscle">biceps tendons</a>, which is rare<ul>
+<strong>type VI: </strong>clavicle inferiorly displaced behind <a href="/articles/coracobrachialis-muscle">coracobrachialis </a>and <a title="Biceps brachii" href="/articles/biceps-brachii">biceps tendons</a>, which is rare<ul>

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Rockwood classification of acromioclavicular joint injury

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