Distal Clavicle Osteolysis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Sep 28, 2022
  • Author: Brett D Owens, MD; Chief Editor: Mohit N Gilotra, MD, MS, FAAOS, FAOA  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The differential diagnosis for distal clavicle osteolysis (DCO) must include metabolic (hyperparathyroidism), autoimmune (rheumatoid arthritis), and neoplastic (multiple myeloma) etiologies. Because DCO is usually a unilateral condition, inflammatory disease should be considered in bilateral cases. Symptomatic acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis is also a consideration as a separate etiology.