Abstract
Objective To study the anatomy of the medial coracoclavicular ligament and assess the contribution of the acromioclavicular, coracoclavicular and medial coracoclavicular ligaments to the stability of the acromioclavicular joint. Methods Twenty-six shoulders from 16 fresh cadavers were dissected after placement in dorsal recumbency with a 15-cm cushion between the shoulder blades. An extended deltopectoral approach was performed proximally and medially, followed by plane dissection and ligament identification. The acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular distances were measured using points previously marked with a millimeter caliper. Six of these specimens were submitted to a biomechanical study. The acromioclavicular ligament, the coracoclavicular ligament and the medial coracoclavicular ligament were sectioned sequentially, and a cephalic force of 20 N was applied to the lateral clavicle. The acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular distances were measured in each of the ligament section stages. Results The right medial coracoclavicular ligament presented, on average, 48.9 mm in length and 18.3 mm in width. On the left side, its mean length was 48.65 mm, with a mean width of 17.3 mm. Acromioclavicular, coracoclavicular and medial coracoclavicular ligament section resulted in a statistically significant increase in the coracoclavicular distance and posterior scapular displacement. Conclusion The medial coracoclavicular ligament is a true ligamentous structure found in all dissected shoulders. Our results showed that the scapular protraction relaxed the medial coracoclavicular ligament, while scapular retraction tensioned it; in addition, our findings demonstrate that this ligament contributes to the vertical and horizontal stability of the acromioclavicular joint.