Ac Joint Ligament Tear
Doctors use degrees to describe ac joint sprains.
Ac joint ligament tear. It is formed by 2 bones. Trauma trauma is a physical external injury. The acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments are usually damaged in the most common injuries to the ac joint. Acromioclavicular joint injuries usually occur from a direct blow or following a fall onto the shoulder with an adducted arm.
A acromioclavicular joint injury otherwise known as a shoulder separation is a traumatic injury to the acromioclavicular ac joint with disruption of the acromioclavicular ligaments and or coracoclavicular cc ligaments. When ligaments connecting the acromion and collarbone g. This pushes the acromion forcibly inferiorly and medially with respect to the clavicle 7. What causes ac joint sprain.
The acromioclavicular joint also known as the ac joint is that bony bump you notice and feel on top of your shoulder. Grade 1 is a simple sprain to the ac joint with minor damage to the ligament and no separation of bones. The joint is surrounded by a joint capsule and is provided additional support by the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments the coracoclavicular ligament is made up of the trapezoid and conoid ligaments. Ac joint injuries are graded from 1 6 using the rockwood scale which classifies injuries in relation to the extent of ligament damage and the space between the acromion and clavicle.
An ac joint sprain happens when the ligaments of the ac joint stretch strain or tear. The joint is stabilized by three ligaments. The clavicle which is known as the collar bone and the acromion process which is found on the shoulder blade. If you sustain an injury to your shoulder you may have an ac joint sprain.
An injury to to the ac joint is a shoulder separation. It enables us to raise our arms over our heads. The type of shoulder separation depends on how much you tear the ac joint or coracoclavicular cc ligaments that hold the joint in place. The acromioclavicular ligament which attaches the clavicle to the acromion of the scapula.
Types of ac joint injuries. Treatment is immobilzation or surgical reconstruction depending on the degree of separation and ligament injury. Acromioclavicular joint disruption mechanism of injury. Type i the ac ligament is slightly torn but there s no damage to the cc ligament is unharmed.
If you haven t heard the term ac sprain you may know the condition by its common name a shoulder separation.