Acromioclavicular osteoarthritis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Acromioclavicular osteoarthritis is wear and tear on the joint located between the clavicle and the bone called the acromion, causing symptoms such as swelling, pain and stiffness in the shoulder and difficulty in performing some movements.

This joint wear is more common in athletes, bodybuilders and workers who use their arms a lot, which can cause pain and difficulty moving the arm.

The treatment of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis is carried out by an orthopedist and involves physiotherapy sessions, the use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications and, in the most serious cases, surgery.

Symptoms of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis are:

• Pain and tenderness in the shoulder, in the upper part around the joint;
• Shoulder pain, especially when turning or lifting the arm during regular daily activities or when compressing the joint;
• Reduced shoulder movement;
• Pain when sleeping on the side on the affected joint;
• Feel the clicking noise when the shoulder moves.

Additionally, the joint area may become more prominent or raised, especially if it has suffered a previous injury.

In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult an orthopedist so that acromioclavicular osteoarthritis can be diagnosed and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.

If you have symptoms of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, make an appointment with an orthopedist in the region closest to you:

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis is made by the orthopedist, through evaluation of symptoms and physical examination.

In addition, the doctor may recommend carrying out some imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI, which allow you to assess the wear and tear on the joint and observe injuries that may have occurred as a result of osteoarthritis.

Possible causes

Acromioclavicular osteoarthritis is caused by an inflammatory process that can occur due to overload of the joint, which causes wear and tear, causing pain when performing certain movements.

This problem is more common in people who lift weights, athletes who play sports in which it is necessary to perform several movements with their arms, such as swimming or tennis, for example, and in people who work by straining their arms daily.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis must be carried out under the guidance of an orthopedist, who may recommend physiotherapy, the use of analgesics or anti-inflammatories until symptoms improve.

Furthermore, it may also be recommended to reduce exercises or daily activities that cause wear and tear on the joint, and should be replaced with exercises that strengthen the shoulder region.

If physical therapy and strengthening exercises are not enough to improve symptoms, your doctor may give a corticosteroid injection directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain.

In more serious cases, shoulder arthroscopy surgery may be indicated. After surgery, the limb must be immobilized for a period of approximately 2 to 3 weeks and, after this period, rehabilitation physiotherapy is advised. See how shoulder arthroscopy and recovery is performed.