Acromioclavicular Joint Injury eMedicine Sports

Description: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries are common and often seen after bicycle wrecks, contact sports, and car accidents. The AC joint is located at the top of the shoulder where the acromion process and the clavicle meet to form a joint. Several ligaments surround this joint and depending on the severity of the injury, a person may tear one or all of the ligaments. Torn ligaments lead to AC joint sprains and separations. The distal clavicle and acromion process can also be fractured. Injury to the AC joint may injure the cartilage within the joint and can later cause arthritis of the AC joint. This article discusses the anatomy of the joint, the diagnosis of this condition, and the different treatment options.
Synonyms and related keywords: acromioclavicular joint injury, shoulder separation, shoulder dislocation, shoulder pain, AC joint injury, AC separation, AC joint disruption, acromioclavicular disruption
Seade et al 2006 Updated: Oct 27, 2008