Acromioclavicular joint arthritis (ACJ arthritis) is a degenerative condition that affects the acromioclavicular joint, where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the shoulder. The acromioclavicular joint helps to stabilize the shoulder joint and facilitates movement of the arm.
AC joint arthritis can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in middle-aged and older adults. It is also more common in people who have had a previous injury to the shoulder, for example following a direct fall onto the shoulder tip.
The main symptoms of AC joint arthritis are pain and tenderness in the front of the shoulder. The pain tends to be worse with activity, such as overhead lifting or reaching and with overhead gym exercises such as pull-ups, shoulder press and lat-pulldown exercises. Patients also describe discomfort when the straps of a rucksack or bra press down on the joint or when lying on the affected side at night. Other symptoms of AC joint arthritis may include:
The diagnosis of AC joint arthritis is usually made based on the patient's medical history and physical examination. The doctor will examine the shoulder for localised swelling, tenderness, and pain with certain movements, for example when bringing the arm across the body. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound or MRI scans, will help the doctor to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of shoulder pain.
Contact Us 020 8004 6659The treatment for AC joint arthritis depends on the severity of the condition. Non-surgical treatments are often effective for relieving pain and improving function. Non-surgical treatments may include:
At The Joint Injection Clinic, these injections are performed after a thorough consent process, whereby the risk and benefits of the procedure are discussed in detail with your doctor. The experienced medical doctor will then place you in a seated or lying position. The shoulder is cleaned using a cleaning solution to ensure that the procedure is performed under sterile conditions. The combined local anaesthetic and steroid is injected from the skin to the joint under ultrasound guidance.
The injection itself is normally completed within 30-60 seconds, after which a plaster is applied and post-injection advice is given. The patient is advised to look out for any signs of infection, specifically to check whether the local area becomes red, hot, tender, swollen or if they develop a fever. If this occurs then the patient is asked to contact the clinic immediately at which time a formal reassessment will occur and if needed oral antibiotics can be prescribed. The patient is also warned that following this particular injection they may notice a short-term worsening or flare in their symptoms after the local anaesthetic has worn off (4-5 hours). This may last for 3-5 days and the patient is advised to consider icing of the area using an ice pack for 10-15 minutes every hour as required.
If non-surgical treatments are not effective, surgery may be an option. Surgery for AC joint arthritis may involve:
The best treatment option for you will depend on the severity of your AC joint arthritis, your overall health, and your activity level.
If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your shoulder, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
