Do you sometimes feel a strange pain or tightness in the upper part of your shoulder, specifically where the shoulder blade ends? Maybe it started when you fell on the ground while playing cricket, or when you slipped and hit your hand on the ground after a bike ride. While many people think that this shoulder pain is normal, a muscle strain, the real cause may be a problem with a small but very important joint in our shoulder. Today, let's talk about the AC joint, which not everyone talks about much, but is very important.
What is this AC joint?
Simply put, the AC joint is one of the two main joints in your shoulder. Its full name is the Acromioclavicular Joint . The name sounds a bit complicated, doesn't it? But the way it's formed is very simple. The AC joint is located where your collarbone, or clavicle , connects to the top of your shoulder blade (scapula) . You can feel the top of your shoulder with the fingers of your other hand. It's the little bump that comes out at the end of your collarbone, and that's where the joint is.
So the name `Acromio-clavicular` is formed by combining the names of these two bones. This is a joint that is very important for the movement and stability of our shoulder.
What service does the AC junction provide to our body?
The main function of the AC joint is to support the shoulder and provide a place for the ligaments around the shoulder to attach.
Think of the AC joint as a somewhat 'passive' joint that can't move on its own. That is, its movements are controlled by other muscles and joints in the shoulder. When the muscles in the shoulder move, the entire shoulder moves, and that's when the AC joint moves. Strictly speaking, it's a planar joint that allows two bones to slide smoothly over each other.
For example, imagine that you are rowing a boat and you are pushing your arms forward and then pulling them back. During this movement, your shoulder is moving forward and backward, and the AC joint is what helps the shoulder move properly. This joint is also very important when you are raising your arm up.
What is the AC junction made of?
Inside this small junction are several very important parts of our body.
- Bones: As we discussed earlier, the clavicle and the scapula are the two main bones that make up this joint.
- Cartilage: To prevent these two bones from rubbing together, there is a cushion between them. This is what we call cartilage. This is what allows the two bones to slide smoothly over each other without any damage.
- Ligaments: Two bones in a joint are connected together and held in place by ligaments. The AC joint has three major ligaments. These are what keep the joint in place without it moving around.
- Nerves: We get pain and sensation at this junction from the nervous system that extends from the neck to the shoulder.
- Blood vessels: Like any organ, this junction has a system of blood vessels to provide nutrition and oxygen.
What are the most common disorders and diseases of the AC joint?
AC joint injuries are actually quite common. According to doctors, about 40% of all shoulder injuries are related to the AC joint. These injuries can occur in a variety of ways.
- Shoulder sprains: A tear in the ligaments around the joint.
- Separated shoulders: This is a separation of the shoulder blade and the clavicle due to a tear in the ligaments that hold the shoulder blade together. There are varying degrees of severity.
- Dislocated shoulders: This more commonly affects the main joint of the shoulder than the AC joint, but in a severe accident the AC joint can also be affected.
- Shoulder fractures: A break in the shoulder blade or humerus at the joint.
The main cause of any of these is a sudden, excessive force applied to the shoulder. Sports accidents (e.g., falls while playing rugby, driving in cricket, or playing volleyball), car accidents , and falls from heights are the most common.
In addition, arthritis, a condition that occurs with age, can also affect this joint. However, many people with arthritis in this joint do not experience any pain or symptoms. Therefore, treatment may not be necessary.
What does AC joint pain feel like?
When your shoulder hurts, it can be a little difficult to identify whether the pain is actually coming from the AC joint, because when it hurts, it feels like the whole shoulder hurts.
Sometimes the pain can come from right where the AC joint is. But sometimes the pain can radiate to the neck, lower shoulder, chest muscles, or back. The nature of the pain also varies depending on the cause.
| Nature of pain | How it usually feels |
|---|---|
| Sharp, stabbing pain | This type of pain is most felt when you use or move your shoulder. It's a sudden, 'chirping' pain that comes on when you raise your arm or lift a weight. |
| Slow, throbbing pain | This is like a low noise in the background. It feels like there is always a slight pain or discomfort in the shoulder. An example of this is not being able to turn to the side that hurts when sleeping. |
| Bruised pain | It is a pain that feels like a sore limb after a good workout, or after removing some household items. It may be painful when touched or pressed. |
Why is there a 'tock tock' sound coming from the AC junction?
This is a problem that many people have. It is actually normal for our joints to make a 'clicking' or 'clicking' sound from time to time. This can happen when we stretch our body or bend a joint. The reason for this is that air bubbles trapped in the fluid inside the joint are released. There is no need to be afraid of such normal sounds.
However, there are special cases that you need to pay attention to.
If you hear a loud 'pop' in your shoulder after an accident, such as a fall or a hard blow, and are accompanied by severe pain and inability to move your shoulder, it's not something simple. It could be a sprained joint or a torn ligament.
Also, if you always hear a clicking sound when you shake your hand in the same way, or if you hear a 'crackling' sound along with the sound, as if two bones are rubbing together, you should also tell a doctor about that.
Very important: If you think you have a shoulder injury, never let an untrained person touch, tighten, or adjust it. If you think the joint is dislocated, do not try to put it back in. Keep the shoulder as still as possible and go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
What are the treatments for AC joint disorders?
The type of treatment you need will depend on the nature and severity of your condition. Your doctor will first examine you (perhaps with an X-ray or scan) to determine the exact nature of your condition. Only then will they prescribe treatment.
These are the common treatments often used:
- Rest: It is very important to rest the injured shoulder. You will need to avoid heavy lifting, overhead work, and sports for a while.
- Painkillers: Your doctor may recommend medications like NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and swelling. Always take these only under medical advice.
- Corticosteroid injections: If the pain and swelling are very severe, your doctor may recommend a special injection directly into the joint. This is also called a cortisone shot .
- Physical therapy: This is a very important treatment. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, you will have to engage in special exercises that strengthen the muscles of the shoulder and increase the range of motion of the joint. This will greatly help in restoring the joint to its normal position.
- Immobilization: The doctor advises keeping the arm in a sling to rest the joint and prevent excessive movement.
- Surgery: In most cases, surgery is not necessary. However, if the ligament is completely torn and the joint is very far apart (severe separation), or if there is a fracture, surgery may be needed to realign it.
How to keep the AC junction healthy?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So there are several things we can do to protect ourselves from possible damage to the AC joint.
- A healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet and engaging in appropriate exercise is very good for the entire body, as well as the joints.
- Before and after exercise: Before doing any sport or exercise , warm-up well. That is, warm up your body. Also, after finishing your exercise , cool-down well, that is, stretch your muscles. This greatly reduces the risk of injury.
- 'Don't play through the pain': If you experience shoulder pain while playing a sport, don't ignore it and continue playing. This can turn a minor injury into a major problem. If you experience pain, stop playing and rest.
- Wear protective equipment: If you play a high-impact sport like rugby, wear appropriate protective equipment, such as shoulder pads.
- Seek medical advice: It's a good idea to get regular medical checkups. Also, if you experience unusual pain, stiffness, or a popping sound in your shoulder, don't ignore it and see a doctor right away.
Our shoulder is an amazing joint in our body. It can move in more directions and at a greater range than any other joint. The AC joint is a very important part of this amazing joint. You may not even think about this joint until you have an injury. But that doesn't mean you should ignore any pain or stiffness in your shoulder. If you feel anything strange in your shoulder, see a doctor. He or she will explain exactly what the problem is and what the best treatment is for it.
Take-Home Message
- The AC joint is an important joint located at the top of your shoulder where your collarbone and shoulder blade connect.
- Pain in the upper part of the shoulder after a fall or accident may be due to an AC joint injury.
- A 'click' sound from the shoulder, accompanied by pain and inability to move the arm, is a warning sign of an accident. See a doctor immediately.
- If you have persistent, even mild shoulder pain, do not ignore it and seek advice from your doctor.
- Many injuries can be prevented by warming up before sports and exercise and wearing protective equipment.
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