Acromio-Clavicular Joint (ACJ) Dislocation
Mechanism/Injury:
Traumatic Injury to shoulder
Fall on to the point of the shoulder- fall from bike, tackled during rugby
Shoulder blade and arm driven down away from end of clavicle
6 types: 1 and 2- almost always settle with conservative treatment
3- approx. 65-75% settle with conservative treatment
4- collar bone moves backwards and usually requires surgery
5 and 6- rare and severe injuries often complicated with other injuries
Symptoms:
Prominent mobile lump at the end of the collar bone
Pain felt at the end of the collar bone
Pain down into upper arm on raising arm forwards or sideways
Pain on top of the shoulder on using the arm across the front of the body
Pain on lying on arm in bed, disturbed sleep
Investigations:
X-Ray, Ultrasound scan, MRI scan
Treatment options:
Pain killers
Physiotherapy- for types 1 to 3
ACJ Reconstruction/Lockdown- some type 3.Most type 4s