Peer Reviewed Patient Education




What are the signs and symptoms of an AC joint separation?
Grade I Injury:
  • There may be tenderness at the joint when touched.
  • There may be some bruising around joint.
  • There is minor pain with arm movement.
  • There is no pain in the area of the coracoclavicular ligaments.
Grade II Injury:
  • There is moderate to severe pain at the joint.
  • Swelling may be present.
  • There is pain with arm movement.
  • There may be a small bump on the top of the shoulder where the clavicle ends.
  • The clavicle may move when pushed.
  • The area of the coracoclavicular ligaments may be painful when touched.
Grade III Injury:
  • Typically, the injured person immediately supports the elbow while holding the arm close to the side. This prevents the pain outward arm movement would cause.
  • Pain is present with any arm motion.
  • Pain is present around the joint and in the area of the coracoclavicular ligaments.
  • Swelling is present.
  • As the joint moves, a popping sound may occur.
  • There is shoulder deformity and a bump on the top of the shoulder.
  • The AC joint is very unstable.

Disclaimer

At Seaport we believe in meeting patients' individual needs through comprehensive evaluation and treatment, designed to help achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. Seaport physicians take the time to know you and work with you from your initial symptoms or injury, through every aspect of your recovery. Our goal at Seaport is to enable our patients to get back to a full active lifestyle as quickly and safely possible.

Our group is comprised of various physicians whose specialties include orthopaedic surgery, treatment of the hand, knee, spine, hip, foot and ankle, physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management.