Knipe H, Baba Y, Roberts D, et al. Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 29 Mar 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-82249
Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis accounts for ~20% (range 12.7-24%) of patients with shoulder pain. It most commonly presents in the fourth decade 3.
Pathology
Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis can be 1:
primary: age-related
secondary: usually to prior trauma
Radiographic features
Typical imaging findings of osteoarthritis are present, however, these are mostly asymptomatic. Effusion and capsular thickening may be present but again, these correlate poorly with symptoms 1,2. Bone marrow edema may be useful in discriminating for symptomatic OA 1,4.
1. Flores D, Goes P, Gómez C, Umpire D, Pathria M. Imaging of the Acromioclavicular Joint: Anatomy, Function, Pathologic Features, and Treatment. Radiographics. 2020;40(5):1355-82. doi:10.1148/rg.2020200039 - Pubmed
2. Mcdonald S & Hopper M. Acromioclavicular Joint Disease. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2015;19(3):300-6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549323 - Pubmed
3. Farrell G, Watson L, Devan H. Current Evidence for Nonpharmacological Interventions and Criteria for Surgical Management of Persistent Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Shoulder Elbow. 2019;11(6):395-410. doi:10.1177/1758573219840673 - Pubmed
4. Veen E, Donders C, Westerbeek R, Derks R, Landman E, Koorevaar C. Predictive Findings on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Symptomatic Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018;27(8):e252-8. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2018.01.001 - Pubmed
5. Krill M, Rosas S, Kwon K, Dakkak A, Nwachukwu B, McCormick F. A Concise Evidence-Based Physical Examination for Diagnosis of Acromioclavicular Joint Pathology: A Systematic Review. Phys Sportsmed. 2018;46(1):98-104. doi:10.1080/00913847.2018.1413920 - Pubmed