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Story kindly provided by Prof. H.U. Staeubli, MD PhD, Bern, Switzerland

Left acromio-clavicular dislocation: the story of a snowboard champion

Gian Simmen, 19.2.1977, snowboard champion (gold medal in the snowboarding half pipe category at the Nagano winter Olympics and twice world champion (the first time in 2000/01, the second time in 2001/02) in the same category), was spending some time in Colorado for a photo shooting session in April 2002. While snowboarding down an access ramp, he lost balance and fell forward on his left shoulder. The symptoms Gian presented were mainly pain, swelling and a rapid loss of his shoulder’s function.

A local Orthopaedic Surgeon examined Gian and referred him with the diagnosis of an acromio-clavicular dislocation, grade IV, which means a complete dislocation of the acromio-clavicular joint in the shoulder, with a partial tear of the deltoid muscle.

The treatment which was indicated in such a situation was an operative reduction of the dislocation (with the objective to put the displaced bones back in their original position), the reconstruction of a small ligament (coraco-clavicular ligament) which had been torn, the re-fixation of the deltoid muscle and the fixation of the injured bones with a very small plate.

Following the operation, Gian Simmen had to wear a brace for three weeks, in order to immobilize fully his shoulder. He was then authorized to start some physiotherapy, starting with isometric muscle training (the muscles are stimulated without any movement), progressively moving on to active/passive range of motion exercises. Gian was also strongly advised to avoid weight lifting for the next three months.

A little more than three months after his operation, Gian resumed his activities as a professional snowboarder in the half pipe category, having fully recuperated his strength and the range of motion of his shoulder. He expects to continue snowboarding on a professional level, remaining in the top-10 snowboarders in the world.

Address and correspondance:
Prof. Dr. med. H.U. Staeubli
Orthopaedic Clinic Bern, 3000 Bern 25, Schänzlistrasse 39
Clinic phone: +41 (0)31 337 79 49
Telefax: +41 (0)31 337 79 77
Mail: hansulrich.staeubli@hirslanden.ch