What Is The Anatomy Of The AC Joint?
The AC joint is positioned at the junction of the collarbone and the highest point of the shoulder blade, held together by multiple ligaments and surrounded by cartilage at the end of each bone. A common cause of shoulder pain is an AC joint injury, which is typically caused by a hard fall or blunt force trauma to the joint. Fortunately, Dr. Nawaid Ahmed, a shoulder specialist, adept at relieving acromioclavicular joint pain after an injury and restoring patients to an active, healthy lifestyle.
An AC joint injury is frequently caused by a direct contact force affecting the shoulder’s top area. This can lead to a mild sprain in some cases or a complete shoulder separation in instances of significant impact. AC joint injuries are classified into multiple grades, with Grade 1 referring to a mild sprain and Grade 6 representing a total AC joint separation that can cause severe discomfort and impair function.
Symptoms Of An AC Joint Injury
The characteristic feature of an AC joint injury is pain that occurs when the AC joint is palpated. Acromioclavicular joint pain may vary in intensity from mild tenderness to severe, sharp pain after an injury. The pain is usually concentrated in the upper shoulder region. Additionally, patients with AC joint injuries may experience swelling, bruising, a visible deformity, and a popping sensation in cases of higher grade injuries.
Diagnose An AC Joint Injury
A thorough physical examination of the shoulder and a series of x-rays administered by Dr. Nawaid Ahmed is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of an AC joint injury. The x-ray is useful in excluding any bone injuries, such as a fracture of the collarbone’s end. In addition to x-rays, Dr. Nawaid Ahmed may employ an MRI scan to identify the injury’s severity and evaluate the damage to the surrounding ligaments, which is critical in developing an individualized and effective treatment plan.
Treatment Options
In treating an AC joint injury, the injury’s grade, the degree of acromioclavicular joint pain, and the patient’s functional level are all taken into account. Ultimately, the chosen course of treatment will be based on these factors.
Without Surgery
Less severe AC joint injuries, usually lower grade injuries, are typically treated with non-surgical methods such as rest, stabilizing the joint using a sling or similar device, medication, and a specialized physical therapy program. We highly recommend that patients work with the in-house physical therapists at Howard Head Sports Medicine to ensure optimal rehabilitation. These non-surgical measures, when combined, can significantly alleviate acromioclavicular joint pain and enable patients to resume their regular activities within one to six weeks.
Surgery
In more severe cases, a surgical procedure may be recommended by Dr. Nawaid Ahmed to treat higher grade injuries, typically performs an arthroscopic AC joint stabilization procedure to stabilize the joint, correct the separation between the acromion and clavicle, and relieve acromioclavicular joint pain. This procedure involves reconstructing the AC joint using a ligament graft and suture fixation to restore full joint stability and function. Dr. Nawaid Ahmed evaluates each patient’s AC joint injury on a case-by-case basis through physical examination and imaging to determine the most appropriate surgical technique needed to reconstruct damaged surrounding ligaments and resolve the AC joint injury.