Acromioclavicular Joint Injury Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Oct 19, 2023
  • Author: Brett D Owens, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Patients with suspected acromioclavicular joint injuries should undergo a standard shoulder examination, including evaluation of range of motion, palpation of the bony structures of the shoulder for any stepoff that might suggest occult fracture, and assessment of neurovascular status to rule out brachial plexus injury (although concomitant neurovascular injury is relatively rare in acromioclavicular joint injuries).

Other problems to consider include the following:

  • Glenoid labrum tear

  • Erb-Duchenne injury

  • Distal clavicle osteolysis

Differential Diagnoses