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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 8
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Review Article
Online Published: 12 Aug 2026
 


Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fahad Yahya Alarishi, Hanin Jaber Mobarki, Reema Hamoud Nharri, Batool Ali A. Al Hussain, Shaden Saud Alenezi, Abrar Abduljalil Altayeb, Mohammed Ahmed Alghamdi, Mohammed Ali Alharbi, Amer Khalid Alsulaymi, Badr Mohamad Almohamad, Qusai Wael Shaheen, Bara Shafiq Badhdouh.


Abstract
Type III acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is a common shoulder-girdle injury with no consensus on optimal management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate age-stratified clinical and functional outcomes between operative and conservative treatment strategies. A preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) -compliant search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar through February 2026 (PROSPERO: CRD420261366430). Randomized controlled trials (RCT s) and comparative cohort studies comparing surgical and conservative management were included. Outcomes included functional scores (Constant–Murley, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH), VAS pain), radiological measures, complications, and patient satisfaction. Quality was appraised with Risk of Bias 2 and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Thirteen studies (7 randomized controlled trials is correct (RCTs) 6 cohort studies; n = 845) were included. Pooled analyses showed no significant difference in Constant–Murley Score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.24; 95% CI: −0.11 to 0.59; p = 0.174) or VAS pain (SMD = −0.10; 95% CI: −0.40 to 0.19; p = 0.484). The DASH score significantly favored surgery (SMD = −0.45; 95% CI: −0.71 to −0.18; p = 0.001), though below the minimal clinically important difference. Conservative management allowed faster early recovery; surgery improved cosmesis but carried more complications. Operative treatment conferred no consistent long-term functional advantage over conservative management. Shared decision-making should weigh function, cosmesis, and recovery trajectory.

Key words: Acromioclavicular, dislocation, ACJ, Rockwood III, shoulder, operative management, conservative management, review article


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alarishi FY, Mobarki HJ, Nharri RH, Hussain BAAA, Alenezi SS, Altayeb AA, Alghamdi MA, Alharbi MA, Alsulaymi AK, Almohamad BM, Shaheen QW, Badhdouh BS. Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711

Web Style

Alarishi FY, Mobarki HJ, Nharri RH, Hussain BAAA, Alenezi SS, Altayeb AA, Alghamdi MA, Alharbi MA, Alsulaymi AK, Almohamad BM, Shaheen QW, Badhdouh BS. Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=322088 [Access: August 25, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alarishi FY, Mobarki HJ, Nharri RH, Hussain BAAA, Alenezi SS, Altayeb AA, Alghamdi MA, Alharbi MA, Alsulaymi AK, Almohamad BM, Shaheen QW, Badhdouh BS. Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alarishi FY, Mobarki HJ, Nharri RH, Hussain BAAA, Alenezi SS, Altayeb AA, Alghamdi MA, Alharbi MA, Alsulaymi AK, Almohamad BM, Shaheen QW, Badhdouh BS. Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. (2026), [cited August 25, 2026]; 10(8): 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


Harvard Style

Alarishi, F. Y., Mobarki, . H. J., Nharri, . R. H., Hussain, . B. A. A. A., Alenezi, . S. S., Altayeb, . A. A., Alghamdi, . M. A., Alharbi, . M. A., Alsulaymi, . A. K., Almohamad, . B. M., Shaheen, . Q. W. & Badhdouh, . B. S. (2026) Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC, 10 (8), 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


Turabian Style

Alarishi, Fahad Yahya, Hanin Jaber Mobarki, Reema Hamoud Nharri, Batool Ali A. Al Hussain, Shaden Saud Alenezi, Abrar Abduljalil Altayeb, Mohammed Ahmed Alghamdi, Mohammed Ali Alharbi, Amer Khalid Alsulaymi, Badr Mohamad Almohamad, Qusai Wael Shaheen, and Bara Shafiq Badhdouh. 2026. Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


Chicago Style

Alarishi, Fahad Yahya, Hanin Jaber Mobarki, Reema Hamoud Nharri, Batool Ali A. Al Hussain, Shaden Saud Alenezi, Abrar Abduljalil Altayeb, Mohammed Ahmed Alghamdi, Mohammed Ali Alharbi, Amer Khalid Alsulaymi, Badr Mohamad Almohamad, Qusai Wael Shaheen, and Bara Shafiq Badhdouh. "Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alarishi, Fahad Yahya, Hanin Jaber Mobarki, Reema Hamoud Nharri, Batool Ali A. Al Hussain, Shaden Saud Alenezi, Abrar Abduljalil Altayeb, Mohammed Ahmed Alghamdi, Mohammed Ali Alharbi, Amer Khalid Alsulaymi, Badr Mohamad Almohamad, Qusai Wael Shaheen, and Bara Shafiq Badhdouh. "Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.8 (2026), 2468-2477. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alarishi, F. Y., Mobarki, . H. J., Nharri, . R. H., Hussain, . B. A. A. A., Alenezi, . S. S., Altayeb, . A. A., Alghamdi, . M. A., Alharbi, . M. A., Alsulaymi, . A. K., Almohamad, . B. M., Shaheen, . Q. W. & Badhdouh, . B. S. (2026) Age-stratified comparative outcomes of operative versus conservative treatment in type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2468-2477. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779650711




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