What you should know about acromioclavicular arthritis of the shoulder

Arthritis which affects the acromioclavicular joint is just one of several forms of the condition which can affect the shoulder. Renowned consultant orthopaedic surgeon of the shoulder Mr Tony Corner offers expert insight on how this form of arthritis develops and how it is treated in this informative article.

How does arthritis of the shoulder occur?

Cartilage within the shoulder allows the joint to move smoothly but when this protective surface becomes damaged, osteoarthritis can develop. This can cause pain, stiffness and creaking in the shoulder and occurs over time as the cartilage dries and cracks, leaving its surface rough and worn.

How is the shoulder affected by arthritis?

There are actually two joints within the shoulder that can become arthritic over time. The AC (acromioclavicular) joint is relatively small and is found between the clavicle (collar bone) and scapula (shoulder blade) at the top of the shoulder. The shoulder’s principal joint is the ball and socket - also known as the glenohumeral joint - and is made up of the ball at the top of the humerus (arm bone) and the glenoid, or socket, on the shoulder blade.

How is acromioclavicular arthritis of the shoulder treated?

Although patients don’t always experience symptoms, arthritis of the AC joint is relatively common and something we often see on X-rays of the shoulder. This form of arthritis is different from that affecting the main ball and socket joint, also known as the glenohumeral joint.

When arthritis of the AC joint causes problematic symptoms, steroid injections can be used to treat any pain or stiffness. There are also surgical forms of treatment including a procedure to remove the end of the collarbone, which can be performed arthroscopically (key-hole) as a daycase operation. Removing the end of the collarbone is beneficial in patients with this form of arthritis as the surfaces of the joint no longer rub together and cause pain.

If you are seeking treatment for acromioclavicular arthritis and wish to schedule a consultation with Mr Corner, you can do so by visiting his Top Doctors profile.