By Steve Horvath, PTA/OTA
What is the Acromioclavicular Joint?
The Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint) is one of the joints that make up our shoulders. The AC Joint is formed by the spacing of the lateral clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula. This joint attaches the scapula to the clavicle and serves as the main articulation that suspends the upper extremity from the trunk.¹
What does the AC Joint do?
In conjunction with the pectoralis major muscle, rotator cuff muscles, biceps muscle, coracobrachialis muscle and your anterior deltoid muscle, the AC Joint provides the ability to lift your arm above your head.
What common pathologies affect the AC Joint?
The most common pathology of the AC Joint is dislocation (often called AC joint separation or shoulder separation). Please note that shoulder separation and shoulder dislocation are not the same injury as “shoulder dislocation” refers to the dislocation of the glenohumeral joint.
AC joint separation is usually caused by trauma during sports such as hockey, football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding. The mechanism of the injury is a high velocity force through the shoulder in an outstretched position (eg. attempting to break a fall by reaching out with your hands). Thus a healthcare professional may call this a FOOSH injury which stands for falling on an outstretched hand.
AC joint separation is usually caused by trauma during sports such as hockey, football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding. The mechanism of the injury is a high velocity force through the shoulder in an outstretched position (eg. attempting to break a fall by reaching out with your hands). Thus a healthcare professional may call this a FOOSH injury which stands for falling on an outstretched hand.
Can an AC joint separation heal by itself?
Depending on the level of dislocation it is possible that a shoulder separation can repair itself, with time and physiotherapy, without the need for surgical intervention. The timelines surrounding recovery of a shoulder separation will vary based on many factors including but not limited to:
- Age
- Level of fitness previous to injury
- Heredity
- Diet
- Grading of AC joint separation
- Comorbidity
- Number of previous injuries to the shoulder
How do I know if my shoulder might be separated?
Common symptoms of a separated shoulder might include:
- Shoulder pain
- Shoulder or arm weakness
- Shoulder bruising or swelling
- Limited shoulder movement
- A bump and swelling at the top of your shoulder²
Summary
At ISM Rehab we have an excellent multidisciplinary healthcare team which includes physiotherapists and assistants, registered massage therapists, physician assistants, orthopaedic surgeons, and physiatrists. We specialize in orthopaedic injuries that include shoulder separation, rotator cuff repair, shoulder impingement, and many other injuries throughout the body. Our passion is to help our patients return to health through evidence-based treatment approaches and have great success in our rehabilitation programs.
Resources:
¹Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic: Examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd ed.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
²Mayo Clinic: Separated shoulder, 2016 (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/separated-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354049)
¹Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic: Examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd ed.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
²Mayo Clinic: Separated shoulder, 2016 (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/separated-shoulder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354049)
Our Physiotherapists see and assess Injuries to the AC joint!
If you are interested in being seen and assessed by our physiotherapists,
email admin@ismrehab.com or call 905-333-5100 ext 4.