Acromioclavicular joint pain

Acromioclavicular joint pain

The shoulder joint is one of the joints with the greatest range of motion. It is made up of many parts, one of which is the acromioclavicular joint, often palpable under the skin, between the collarbone and the acromion. It has little range of motion, but its healthy functioning contributes to painless, full shoulder movement.

Most often, chronic pain is caused by wear and tear in this joint, which may be caused by physical work or previous injury to the joint, a dislocation. Young people and middle-aged people may be affected by weightlifting shoulder syndrome, which is caused by repetitive overuse of the joint.

The diagnosis is based on the physical examination, the symptoms and the medical history, and imaging tests help to clarify the diagnosis.

Treatment for acromioclavicular joint complaints usually starts conservatively (joint injections, physiotherapy, physical therapy), surgical treatment is recommended if the symptoms do not go away.