The acromioclavicular joint is a joint at the end of your collar bone. It can be injured in a variety of ways but the most common mechanism is direct trauma from a fall onto the shoulder during contact sports. The joint can also be injured from a fall onto an outstretched arm. . Most patients experience pain and there can be a sagging appearance of the shoulder. Nondisplaced or minimally displaced injuries to the AC joint are treated conservatively. Rest and a sling may be used initially, followed by gentle range of motion as soon as possible. Some patients may remain symptomatic or have a small, prominent bump on their shoulder over the long term. Surgery is reserved for more severely displaced joints or for patients who continue to have pain.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website is provided for educational and information purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical provider and follow their recommendations regardless of what you read on this website. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Links to other third-party websites are provided for your convenience only. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms of use for those websites. Neither Moore Advanced Orthopedics, LLC, nor any contributor to this website, makes any representation, express or implied, regarding the information provided on this website or any information you may access on a third-party website using a link. Use of this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you would like to request an appointment with a health care provider, please call our office at (602) 456-1835.