Acromioclavicular Joint Separations Workup

  • Author: David Prybyla, MD; Chief Editor: Mary Ann E Keenan, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 7, 2012
 

Imaging Studies

  • Standard shoulder series radiographs: AP and axillary views of the shoulder, a lateral projection of the scapula (scapular Y), and a weight-bearing view of the shoulder (an AP projection of the shoulder obtained while the patient's affected arm is holding a 10- to 15-pound weight)
    • Standard radiographs are usually adequate to confirm the diagnosis.
    • Stress radiographs are taken to evaluate more accurately the integrity of the ligamentous structures by showing the degree of displacement of the acromion relative to the clavicle.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to be helpful in differentiating between type II and type III injuries.[24]
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David Prybyla, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Brett D Owens, MD  Associate Professor of Surgery, F Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Brett D Owens, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation Consulting fee Consulting

Thomas P Goss, MD  Chief of Shoulder Surgery, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care

Thomas P Goss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Orthopaedic Trauma Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Lynn A Crosby, MD, FACS  Chief of Shoulder Division, Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine

Lynn A Crosby, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Fracture Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Tennis Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and Orthopaedic Research Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Pekka A Mooar, MD  Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine

Pekka A Mooar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD  Professor, Vice Chair for Graduate Medical Education, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief of Neuro-Orthopedics Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Acromioclavicular joint anatomy.
Allman/Rockwood classification of acromioclavicular injuries.
Type V separation, characterized by wide displacement of the clavicle in a superior direction relative to the acromion. Radiographic findings denote disruption of the AC ligaments and coracoclavicular (CC) ligament, as well as the deltoid attachment to the distal clavicle.
 
 
 
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