Degenerative joint disease of the acromioclavicular joint: a review
Osteoarthritis is the most commonly seen pathology in the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in clinical practice. The most important symptom is pain during motion of the shoulder girdle, especially during cross-body or overhead activities – pain is often located focally at the AC joint and the superior/ anterior aspect of the shoulder, referred pain can also occur at the anterolateral neck, upper trapezius and anterolateral deltoid.
Physical examination should contain an inspection to determine the presence of swelling, deformities or a prominent lateral clavicle. Typical pain can usually be provoked by palpation; specific provocative maneuvers for instability and/ or pain include the cross-body adduction test, the AC resisted extension test and O’Brien’s test.
The cross-body adduction test (Video by: CRTechnologies)
Physiotherapeutic interventions should be directed towards increasing range of motion and strength in particularly the scapular and rotator cuff musculature. Repetitive overhead or cross-body movements should be avoided, and in acute cases immobilization is recommended. > From: Mall et al., Am J Sports Med 41 (2013) 2684-2692. All rights reserved to The Author(s).
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