Acromioclavicular Joint Injury — Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a gliding joint located between the acromion (a projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder) and the collar bone. Acromioclavicular joint sprains and separations often occur in people who play vigorous contact sports such as football, biking, snow sports, hockey, and rugby. This injury can also be caused by an accident or osteoarthritis of the AC joint. Pain management and rehabilitation services in Brooklyn include effective nonsurgical shoulder pain treatment options to restore the full functionality of the joint and get patients back to their routine activities and sports. AC joint dysfunctionis caused by a fall directly on the point of the shoulder, when the joint receives a direct blow. It usually occurs in individuals younger than 35 years of age, with men sustaining five times more traumatic injuries than women. Signs and Symptoms of AC Joint Dysfunction AC joint injuries may occur with or without complete disruptions of the associated ligament. The clinical symptoms of AC joint dysfunction include: Swelling and tenderness over the AC joint General shoulder pain and swelling Loss of shoulder strength A visible bump above the shoulder Loss of shoulder motion Pain when lying on the involved side A popping sound or catching sensation with movement of the shoulder Discomfort with daily activities that stress the AC joint, like lifting objects overhead, reaching across your body, or carrying heavy objects at your side If left untreated it can lead to early arthritis or permanent damage to the shoulder joint. Therefore, patients should get shoulder pain treatment as early as possible. Established multispecialty healthcare and rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn offer effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological options to address AC joint dysfunction.
Non –surgical Treatment Options for AC Joint Dysfunction separated shoulder can be identified during a physical exam. Experienced doctors at these health care facilities will use modalities such as X-ray and MRI scan to come to determine the severity of the injury and make the right diagnosis. Based on the outcome of the assessment, they will prepare a customized treatment plan. This will include basic treatment options such as rest, ice application, compression, slingtechniques, and shoulder taping. Other nonsurgical treatment options that may be included in a treatment plan are:
Physical Therapy- This includes manual therapy and exercises, massage and myofascial release, ice or heat application, ultrasound to treat soft tissue injuries, traction and other pain management techniques.
Prolotherapy — This therapy involves the injection of an irritant solution into the joint space, ligaments or tendons, which serves to regenerate the structures.
Corticosteroid Injections — Cortisone is injected into the joint to reduce pain and swelling.
Analgesics, narcotic medications, and muscle relaxants — These drugs help manage both acute and chronic pain.
Radiofrequency radio ablation — A special type of needle is used to apply radio waves to a painful nerve. Radio frequency injections deactivate the nerves, which interrupts the pain signals.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)- Low-voltage electrical current is delivered to the damaged tissue to provide pain relief.
Game Ready — This system utilizes advanced cold compression techniques to stimulate tissue healing and improve blood flow to the shoulder.
Pain management and rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn provide effective treatment for a wide range of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. Patients are provided with customized treatment plans and compassionate care to reduce pain, restore the injured area to normal function, enable return to sports, and prevent further injury. Surgical intervention will be recommended only in extreme cases of AC injury when the clavicle is totally torn away.