Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Dislocation
What is the AC joint?
The AC joint is where the acromion process and the clavicle meet and form a joint. See the shoulder anatomy section. It is a small joint, but commonly sprained in car accidents, bicycling and in contact sports. There are several ligaments surrounding the joint and depending on the severity of your injury you may have torn one or all of the ligaments.
What are the different injuries one can get around the AC joint? The ligaments can either partially tear or fully tear around the AC joint. When you fully tear the ligaments the clavicle "rides" up and is seeing/felt higher at the top of the shoulder.
You can also fracture the outer part of the clavicle and/or the acromion process and this may also look like the clavicle is riding up. Luckily, most of the injuries are mild ligament strains and not full fledged tears causing the upward displacement of the clavicle.
The AC joint is where the acromion process and the clavicle meet and form a joint. See the shoulder anatomy section. It is a small joint, but commonly sprained in car accidents, bicycling and in contact sports. There are several ligaments surrounding the joint and depending on the severity of your injury you may have torn one or all of the ligaments.
What are the different injuries one can get around the AC joint? The ligaments can either partially tear or fully tear around the AC joint. When you fully tear the ligaments the clavicle "rides" up and is seeing/felt higher at the top of the shoulder.
You can also fracture the outer part of the clavicle and/or the acromion process and this may also look like the clavicle is riding up. Luckily, most of the injuries are mild ligament strains and not full fledged tears causing the upward displacement of the clavicle.
What is the treatment for the AC joint injuries?
Proper diagnosis is imperative. With this we can tailor your therapy accordingly. A large majority of the patients do great with a sling for comfort and early range of motion with physical therapy.
There are some fractures and or ligament injuries that need to have surgical intervention. Again, these patients are the minority, but the goal is the same and that is to get you back to your pre-injury state.
Proper diagnosis is imperative. With this we can tailor your therapy accordingly. A large majority of the patients do great with a sling for comfort and early range of motion with physical therapy.
There are some fractures and or ligament injuries that need to have surgical intervention. Again, these patients are the minority, but the goal is the same and that is to get you back to your pre-injury state.
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This resource has been provided by Edward Seade, M.D. as general information only. Additional information can be found by visiting our clinic.
Please call for an appointment 512-476-2830.
