Abstract
Because there is little in the literature about specific presentation and examination methods for acromioclavicular (AC) joint pathology, we aimed to define and identify the most reliable tests.
We identified and examined 30 patients with probable AC joint pathology. We then excluded eight patients who experienced no pain relief after local Lignocaine infiltration, and examined 22 patients, two of whom had bilateral shoulder problems.
There were 15 complaints of AC joint pain, 13 of anterior pain, five of posterior pain and five of lateral pain. Pain radiated anteriorly in 14 patients, posteriorly in two, laterally in three and to the cervical region in three. Pain increased with weight-bearing in 18 shoulders, on elevation in five, on activities of daily living in six, at night or on being lain on in 11, and on reaching across the body in three. Clinical examination revealed swelling in seven shoulders and AC joint prominence in seven. There was local tenderness in 21 shoulders and there were crepitations in four. The forced cross-body test produced pain in 22 shoulders. In 22 shoulders, elevation was less than 60°. Jobe’s test was positive in 20, the Speed’s test in 19, O’Brien’s test in 15, the compression test in 15, the distraction test in 13. A painful arc was present to 160° in 13 shoulders. There was neck tenderness in 13 patients. Associated conditions included two cases of shoulder arthritis, six of impingement, two rotator cuff tears, two cases of biceps tendinitis and two of cervical pathology. Radiological changes were evident in 19 AC joints, 13 shoulder joints and 11 cervical spines. On ultrasonography, pathology was resent in 10 of 15 cases.
The most common symptoms were pain with weight-bearing, elevation and lying on shoulder. Anterior and posterior pain was the most common. The most common clinical findings were local tenderness, pain on elevation and the forced cross-body test, positive Jobe’s and Speed’s tests. Because no test is 100% accurate, the whole clinical presentation must be taken into account. Local infiltration of the AC joint is extremely helpful.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
