What it is
The acromioclavicular joint sits at the very top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. It wears with age and heavy overhead or weight training use, and can also be injured in a fall onto the point of the shoulder.
How it usually presents
- Pinpoint pain on the top of the shoulder
- Pain reaching across the body, or lying on that side
- A visible bump over the joint
How it is assessed
Examination localising pain to the joint, X-rays, and sometimes a diagnostic injection.
Treatment options
- Activity modification and physiotherapy
- Guided injection into the joint
- Arthroscopic excision of the joint surface where symptoms persist
Non-surgical treatment is considered first wherever it is reasonable. Which option suits you depends on your symptoms, your goals and what you want from treatment, which is exactly what we discuss in clinic.
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