AC Joint Surgery in Indianapolis, IN and Mooresville, IN

The acromioclavicular joint (AC Joint) lies between the end of the collar bone (clavicle) and the acromion (part of the shoulder blade). In women, this is near where a bra strap rests. The AC joint is stressed with overhead and cross arm movement. It lies immediately above the rotator cuff.

Pain in this area can be caused by:

Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint: Oftentimes this can be seen on x-ray and/or MRI as a bone spur and can often be felt on exam. Initial treatment includes activity modification, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection. If non-operative treatment fails, surgery (either with an open or arthroscopic removal of the arthritis/bone spurs) may be performed. This surgery may also be performed at the same time as a rotator cuff repair to remove the bone spur that can pinch or “impinge” on the rotator cuff, which lies immediately beneath the AC joint.

Distal Clavicle Osteolysis: This is fairly rare condition that occurs most often in male patients in their 20s. Patients commonly are weightlifters, overhead laborers, and/or military personnel. Most complain of pain with repetitive movements like push-ups or bench pressing. X-rays will show the end of the clavicle (collar bone) being “resorbed” or losing its normal appearance. Conservative treatment includes activity modification (reducing the amount of heavy lifting), anti-inflammatories, and possible corticosteroid injection. If non-operative treatment fails, surgery with an open incision and removal of the end of the clavicle (collar bone) may be performed.

An acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, more commonly referred to as a “shoulder separation”, is when the clavicle (collar bone) separates from the scapula (shoulder blade). This can cause injury to the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments – most importantly the acromioclavicular (AC) and the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments. The separation happens when the shoulder receives a direct and forceful blow from the side. It is an injury common among contact athletes, such as football, or cyclists that fall over the handlebars. It can also occur after a fall directly on to the shoulder.

Typically, an AC separation does not require surgery. Although there is great discomfort with an AC separation, most separations will heal on their own within 6-12 weeks. X-ray’s and a physical exam determine the severity of the injury. There are six categories of shoulder separation:

• Grade I – slight displacement of the joint. The acromioclavicular ligament may be stretched or partially torn. This is the most common type of injury to the AC joint.
• Grade II – partial dislocation of the joint in which there may be some displacement that may not be obvious during a physical examination. The AC ligament is completely torn, while the CC ligaments remain intact.
• Grade III – complete separation of the joint. The AC and CC ligaments are torn. Usually, the displacement is obvious on clinical exam. Without ligament support, the shoulder droops under the weight of the arm and the clavicle is pulled up, causing a bump on the shoulder. Depending on the activity level and pain level, these may require surgical intervention.
• Grades IV through VI – significant displacement of the joint. These are rare injuries, often the result of a car accident. Surgery is generally required.