Acromioclavicular (AC) Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint SprainJoint Sprain

What is the AC joint?What is the AC joint?

It’s a joint in the shoulder that consists of It’s a joint in the shoulder that consists of the lateral end of the clavicle and the the lateral end of the clavicle and the acromion process.acromion process.

A cartilage disk separates the two bones, A cartilage disk separates the two bones, and a thin capsule surrounds the joint.and a thin capsule surrounds the joint.

The joint is a pretty weak joint.The joint is a pretty weak joint.

General Information General Information About AC Joint InjuriesAbout AC Joint Injuries

Injuries to the AC joint are most often caused Injuries to the AC joint are most often caused by contact sports, falling on an outstretched by contact sports, falling on an outstretched arm and doing too many overhead exercises. arm and doing too many overhead exercises.

There are many different kinds of AC joint There are many different kinds of AC joint injuries including sprains, tears, dislocations, injuries including sprains, tears, dislocations, and ruptures of ligaments.and ruptures of ligaments.

Injuries to the AC joint result in loss of range of Injuries to the AC joint result in loss of range of motion, inflammation, and loss of strength.motion, inflammation, and loss of strength.

The severity of the injury determines the The severity of the injury determines the treatment required.treatment required.

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

In the case of a sprain one would remove the athlete from the In the case of a sprain one would remove the athlete from the sport if there is any question of his ability to play. If he can play, sport if there is any question of his ability to play. If he can play, then a protective pad should be put on the injury to protect it from then a protective pad should be put on the injury to protect it from more damage.more damage.

Make the athlete wear a sling and make sure to ice the area.Make the athlete wear a sling and make sure to ice the area. Have the athlete take an NSAIDS to help with any pain and to Have the athlete take an NSAIDS to help with any pain and to

reduce the amount of inflammation.reduce the amount of inflammation. The day after the injury happens, one should practice their range The day after the injury happens, one should practice their range

of motion.of motion. As soon as the pain dulls, start strengthening the joint again.As soon as the pain dulls, start strengthening the joint again. If after 2-3 days the athlete still can’t work out, have the injury If after 2-3 days the athlete still can’t work out, have the injury

checked out by a surgeon.checked out by a surgeon.

Sources of InformationSources of Information

Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training written Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training written by William E. Prentice, 12by William E. Prentice, 12thth Edition ( General Edition ( General Information)Information)

http://www.athleticadvisor.com/Injuries/UE/Shohttp://www.athleticadvisor.com/Injuries/UE/Shoulder/a_-_c_sprain.htmulder/a_-_c_sprain.htm (information) (information)

http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2001/11http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2001/11_01/johnson.htm_01/johnson.htm (information) (information)

www.athleticadvisor.com/.../a-c_tear.htm www.athleticadvisor.com/.../a-c_tear.htm (picture)(picture)

www.weissortho.com/.../shoulder/acsprain.html www.weissortho.com/.../shoulder/acsprain.html (picture)(picture)