Summary: For adult patients with complete (grade III, IV, and V) dislocations of the acromio-clavicular (AC) joint, non-operative management with a sling for 4 weeks followed by an exercise program may be associated with a lower level of disability at 6 weeks and 3 months as well as a lower likelihood of needing subsequent surgery, compared to an approach of operative repair with hook plate fixation; although the degree of disability at 2-year follow up may be the same for both approaches.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26489055/

Strength of Recommendation = B