[Surgical treatment of rupture of the coracoclavicular ligament and postoperative rehabilitation].

The aim of this paper is to present the results of the operative treatment of the coracoclavicular ligament. According to Tossy, the injuries are classified into thre degrees. Younger patients and sportsmen (57) with the injury of the third degree were operated in the period from 1987-2000. The diagnostic methods were clinical examination and x-ray in the frontal and sagital plane. The patients were operated by Bosworth method. The operation technique which is described is slightly modified as it facilitates the surgeon's work and gives excellent post-operative results. The immobilisation was not used in the post-operative treatment. During the first week after operation a patient does static isometric exercises using the muscles of shoulders and arms, breathing exercises and passive exercises of the arm up to pain limit. The screw was removed under the local anesthesia after minimum of 6 weeks. Upon the removal of the osteosynthetic material we applied kynetic, hydro, magnetic and electrotherapy. The results of the operation were estimated after 2.5 months. Taking into consideration the functions of coracoclavicular ligament (the regulation of angle between clavicle and shoulder-blade, the limitation of rotation and elevation of clavicle, the support in bearing arm weight, the relaxation of joint between clavicle and shoulder-blade and the lateral reinforcement of acromioclavicular joint) its complete reconstruction is very important, and with the appropriate fixation of clavicle and shoulder-blade, accompanied by physical therapy, makes the basis for good results after the operation.