Temporary extra-articular Bosworth' fixation in complete shoulder joint separation. Follow-up results of 41 surgically treated patients

41 patients were reviewed who suffered from complete separation of the acromioclavicular joint which was operated on with an extraarticular clavicular coracoid fixation by means of a Bosworth screw. In 82% of the cases a subjective and functionally good to excellent result was found. Only one patient complained about difficulties in managing daily life. One patient showed a subluxation of the acromioclavicular joint in X-ray with 10kp extension, all other patients demonstrated stabile relations of the ligaments. The coraco-clavicular calcifications of the ligaments increased with the number of months after operation without a negative influence on functions. An operation without much irritation and in a short period of time, the early beginning of functional therapy and the impressive results of the review show that the technique after Bosworth appears superior to other comparable procedures.