Acromioclavicular joint injury is common in young individuals who suffer direct trauma to the shoulder. Treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation is controversial with regards to the indication of operative management, timing of surgery, whether to perform open or arthroscopic surgery, method of stabilisation (rigid or non-rigid) and type of graft used for repair or reconstruction. Current evidence supports conservative management for Rockwood types I and II, while types IV, V and VI benefit from surgery. The optimal management of type III injuries in high demand patients remains contentious. Surgical options include acromioclavicular fixation, coracoclavicular fixation and coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. Few studies with a low level of evidence suggest arthroscopic techniques and anatomical ligament reconstruction have better outcomes when compared to older techniques of rigid coracoclavicular fixation. The aim of this article is to look at the current evidence and address these controversial issues.

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is a very common cause of shoulder pain in the young adults. It can cause debilitating pain, dysfunction, and affects the activities of daily living. It represents a spectrum of pathology ranging from bursitis to rotator cuff tendinopathy which can ultimately lead to degenerative tear of the rotator cuff. Various theories and concepts have been described and it is still a matter of debate. However, most published studies suggest that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors have a role in the development of SIS. The management is controversial as both nonoperative and operative treatments have shown to provide good results. This article aims to provide a comprehensive current concepts review of the pathogenesis, etiologies, clinical diagnosis, appropriate use of investigations, and discussion on the management of SIS.

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Rotator cuff tears are a common cause for pain and reduced function. Tears of the tendons of the cuff can be a result of a degenerative process or as a consequence of trauma. Management of cuff tears are surrounded by controversy from indications for surgical management to rehabilitation protocol postsurgical repair. The aim of post surgical rehabilitation is to improve functional outcome, reduce pain and promote tendon healing. In the case of rotator cuff repair, rehabilitation can be broadly divided into early passive range of motion (EPM) and delayed range of motion (DRM).The EPM regime is defined by minimal immobilisation of the shoulder and passive mobilisation of the joint within the first post-operative period. In contrast, DRM immobilises the shoulder joint up to six weeks post-operatively. Proponents of EPM state various advantages of their rehabilitation protocol including improved range of motion and earlier return to normal activities of daily living. However, there has also been concern that this rehabilitation regime may result in an increased rate of re-rupture.Since this is a highly controversial issue, various high quality literature have been published looking to clarify which regime is best following rotator cuff surgery. Reviewing these articles, it appears that there is an increase rate of re-tear of the repaired rotator cuff tendon when the EPM regime is employed. Statistical significance however was limited by small sample sizes. Range of motion post-repair also appears to be associated with post-operative rehabilitation regime. As expected, the EPM regime has been shown to improve range of motion post-repair. Despite this, literature reports patients managed with the DPM showed a statistically better patient reported outcome measure.We conclude that based on the evidence we currently have, early range of motion post rotator cuff repair is related with an increase risk of re-tear. The DPM regime reduces this risk with the possible complication of reduced range of shoulder movement. This problem is thought to be an easier clinical issue to deal with compared to re-rupture of the repaired rotator cuff tendon. There is however lack of data to achieve statistical significance in most of these analysis. There is a definite need for a large, multicentre single blinded randomised controlled trial to further shed light on this controversial topic.

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Glenoid bone loss is a well established cause of instability and long term morbidity if not adequadely addressed. Anterior glenohumeral instability due an anterior glenoid defect is significantly more common, and for many years has been well treated with open anterior bone block augmentation procedures, most commonly the latarjet procedure. However, with refinement of this technique and some interest in reducing morbidity associated with iliac crest bone harvest, arthroscopic bone block procedures with allograft has become more popular. In this article we will review some of the key available evidence. We will also review management of the less common and more challenging posterior glenoid defects associated with posterior instability.

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Although this is a rare complication of appendicitis, the case was managed successfully with a conservative approach. This is inline with the general consensus which is to treat superior mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to appendicitis conservatively unless the patient deteriorates.