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acromioclavicular joint degeneration; acromioclavicular arthritis
Etiology:
1) trauma in younger patients
2) osteoarthritis in older patients
Clinical manifestations:
- pain on the superior aspect of shoulder [1]
- pain may be poorly localized in some patients
- pain on palpation of the acromioclavicular joint (sensitive but not specific)
- palpable osteophytes may be present
- pain with shoulder adduction across the body (positive cross-arm test)
- pain with shoulder abduction > 120 degrees Radiography:
- shoulder X-ray can reveal acromioclavicular joint degeneration (osteoarthritis) but imaging generally not required
Differential diagnosis:
- bilateral involvement suggests rheumatoid arthritis
Management:
- NSAIDs
- change in activity
- see osteoarthritis
Related
acromioclavicular joint
General
joint disease; articular disease; arthropathy
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 16, 17, 18.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2012, 2015, 2018.
- House J, Mooradian A.
Evaluation and management of shoulder pain in primary care
clinics.
South Med J. 2010 Nov;103(11):1129-35
PMID: 20890250
- Armstrong A.
Evaluation and management of adult shoulder pain: a focus on
rotator cuff disorders, acromioclavicular joint arthritis, and
glenohumeral arthritis.
Med Clin North Am. 2014 Jul;98(4):755-75, xii. Review.
PMID: 24994050