Controversy exists regarding the correct treatment for type III-V acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations. While more recent data has shown equivalence between operative and non-operative management of Rockwood type III AC joint injuries, historical gestalt has suggested that AC separations with greater deformity, the type Vs, may best be treated surgically. This, however, is not backed by strong data. Of note, type IVs are exceedingly rare. Dr. Darius Lamiere, MD and Dr. Daniel Whelan, MD, MSc join us from the University of Toronto to share their meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing surgical and non-surgical treatment for these injuries.

Sports Specialization remains one of the most debated topics in Sports Medicine today. While the idea of having a youth athlete focus year-round on a single sport to maximize his/her potential in that particular sport sounds reasonable, it has not been shown to be an effective strategy at accomplishing its goal and may come at a cost of mental and physical injury to the athlete. Dr. Rachel Meyers, PT, DPT & Dr. Gregory Walker, MD from Children's Hospital Colorado join us to discuss their study further exploring the connection between Sports Specialization and mental health using a recently validated tool designed to identify a highly specialized athlete, the Wisconsin Sport Specialization Questionnaire (WISSQ).

Achilles tendon ruptures have historically been an injury of 40-50 year olds. The recent uptick in Achilles ruptures in younger athletes has been a point of concern in the Sports Medicine community, particularly when some of the NBA's brightest stars have sustained this devastating injury in their 20-30s. Dr. Nirav Pandya, MD, Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist from UCSF joins us to discuss his group's findings as well as the viral response to his study.