Case Study:
Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoathritis
Presented by: Dr Jerome Goldberg
20 Year old male complains of pain with ADDUCTION of arm:
He attends the gym on a a daily basis and experiences difficulty doing weights in the gym.
Examination:
- Prominent & tender AC joint
- Non tender glenohumeral joint & rotator cuff
- Movement limited by pain
- Pain with cross body adduction test
Investigations:
- Xrays show osteoarthritis of the AC joint
- No other imaging is required
- Regular NSAIDs for 12 weeks
- Intraarticular cortisone injection AC joint monthly for 12 weeks
- Rest from weights in gym or heavy lifting at work
- If still symptomatic after 12 weeks consider an arthroscopic excision of the AC joint
Comments: This condition is very common in people who spend a lot of time lifting weights either in the gym or at work. In many cases nonoperative treatment, as outlined above, is successful.
Surgery is an option in recalcitrant cases.