AC Joint Injury

If you place your finger at the top of your shoulder, you will feel a prominent “bump.”  This bump is called an AC (acromioclavicular) joint.  The AC joint is held together by ligaments and has cartilage (also referred to as meniscus) that is located inside the joint and covering the ends of the bones.

Shoulder injuries of the AC joint are quite common. They can result from a hard fall or from a traumatic event.  An AC joint injury can result in a severe shoulder sprain or a shoulder separation, which occurs when the collarbone (the clavicle) separates from the shoulder blade (the acromion).  These are also referred to as a dislocated shoulder and shoulder instability. An AC joint injury is measured in varying grades.  For example, a Grade I injury will bring mild shoulder pain because the AC joints are simply stretched.  A higher grade injury will represent itself in a partial shoulder ligament tear or a full shoulder ligament tear, or a shoulder separation.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an injured AC joint will range from mild tenderness and swelling resulting from a shoulder sprain to intense, sharp shoulder pain that is the cause of a complete shoulder separation.  In a higher grade shoulder injury, a popping sensation will often be heard and prominent shoulder bruising will take place on the skin.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a lower grade AC joint injury will usually consist of plenty of rest along with the use of pain medications and a shoulder sling.

For more advanced AC joint shoulder injuries, shoulder instability and frequent separations and dislocations can occur on a daily basis.  This condition causes men and women to lose time at work and the activities they enjoy, creates anxiety about when the instability will next occur and can lead to early arthritis or permanent damage to the shoulder joint if left untreated.  In these more advanced cases, surgery will be required.  There are numerous shoulder surgery techniques to treat the AC joint offered by our office:

     Arthroscopic Surgery

The arthroscopic AC repair procedure is a minimally-invasive surgery performed when three small incisions are made so that the clavicle—which is the joint that has been separated—can be fixed back into its proper position. Surgery involving arthroscopic AC repair is performed on an outpatient-basis and full range of motion is quickly re-established within days of the procedure.

     Arthroscopic Stabilization Surgery for Shoulder Separations

Arthroscopic stabilization for shoulder dislocations is considered when the episodes of instability are occurring frequently, prohibit the individual from performing overhead activities or partake in sports, and interferes with normal daily routines. Once all other therapies have been exhausted, arthroscopic stabilization surgery is often the next step. Arthroscopic stabilization surgery is a partnership between the doctor and patient.  The results of the surgery are most effective when a post-operative rehabilitation program involving physical therapy and shoulder exercises are implemented

For more information on AC joint injuries or for additional resources on other shoulder related injuries contact Peter Millett, M.D. orthopedic surgeon of Vail, CO.

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