How do you treat acromioclavicular joint pain?
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injury Treatment Goals and Options
- Icing the shoulder.
- Putting your arm in a sling to decrease motion.
- Taking NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, to help with pain.
What is the function of the acromioclavicular ligament?
The acromioclavicular ligament serves to reinforce the joint capsule and serves as the primary restraint to posterior translation and posterior axial rotation at the AC joint.
What causes acromioclavicular joint pain?
Most often, trauma, such as a fall directly on the outside of the shoulder, causes an AC joint injury. Overuse (repeated lifting of heavy weights or objects overhead with poor mechanics) also can result in an AC joint injury. AC joint injuries are most common in people younger than age 35.
What is acromioclavicular arthropathy?
What is ACJ Arthropathy / Arthritis? This is a painful degeneration of the Acromio-Clavicular (AC) Joint, where there is wear and tear of the articular cartilage of the ACJ giving rise to pain and difficulty in using the arm.
What movements does the acromioclavicular joint contribute to?
The AC joint is a plane type synovial joint, which under normal physiological conditions allows only gliding movement. As it attaches the scapula to the thorax, it allows an additional range of motion to the scapula and assists in arm movement such as shoulder abduction and flexion.
What nerve runs through the acromioclavicular?
suprascapular nerves
The acromioclavicular joint is innervated by the lateral pectoral and suprascapular nerves. The lateral pectoral nerve is a branch of the lateral cord of brachial plexus, while the suprascapular nerves originate from the superior trunk of the plexus.
How long does it take for an acromioclavicular joint injury to heal?
It takes about four to six weeks to get complete motion and a few more weeks to begin regaining strength. Recovery is variable depending upon many factors but most patients are back to full activity by three months.