Acromio-Clavicular Joint (ACJ)
![South Wales Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, ACJ](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_9ac6156b1e5e4d648f6aaa7f049cf53d.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_420,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/24ae0b_9ac6156b1e5e4d648f6aaa7f049cf53d.jpg)
ACJ Injuries
The ACJ, otherwise known as the acromio-clavicular joint, is a small joint connecting the clavicle (collar bone) to the scapula (shoulder blade).
Injuries are relatively common and usually occur with a fall directly onto the tip of the shoulder.
The degree of injury is determined by the extent of damage to the ligaments of the joint, and if severe can destabilize the joint.
Symptoms
Pain is usually located around the AC joint itself for all of these injuries and can often be worse when lifting the arm towards the head. The end of the clavicle can sometimes appear as a bump under the skin indicating more severe ligament damage.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_c2e7284230bf4aa2a74088a5b5432f03.jpg/v1/fill/w_298,h_244,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_c2e7284230bf4aa2a74088a5b5432f03.jpg)
Unstable ACJ Injury
Treatments
The less severe injuries are usually successfully treated with initial rest in a sling, followed by early rehabilitation when the painful symptoms settle.
More severe injuries may require surgery to stabilize the joint; if this is required Mr Matthews will reconstruct the ligaments using an artificial ligament.
This is usually a day procedure and then requires a period of time in a sling before rehabilitation can begin. Non contact sports can usually commence three months after surgery, but returning to contact sports often takes a further three months.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_65602d987ce94ec99ec16ff89aaac66e.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_243,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_65602d987ce94ec99ec16ff89aaac66e.jpg)
Reconstructed ACJ
Private Practices
Spire Cardiff Hospital
Croescadarn Road
Pentwyn
Cardiff
CF23 8XL
Appointments: 02920 731112
Spire Cowbridge Clinic
The Health Centre
Broadshoard
Cowbridge
CF71 7DA
Appointments: 02920 731112
![Impartial, Independent Expertise for Justice](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_14dfb0a904554d8caa838f383548a9bb.jpg/v1/fill/w_151,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_14dfb0a904554d8caa838f383548a9bb.jpg)
![Tim Matthews, The Elbow Club](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_a9f1b560b2b04f42a7c24a7992f048e5.jpg/v1/fill/w_137,h_79,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_a9f1b560b2b04f42a7c24a7992f048e5.jpg)
![Tim Matthews, member of the British Orthopaedic Association](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_e422c5cb079c4b1086e5ee949b322392.jpg/v1/fill/w_127,h_127,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_e422c5cb079c4b1086e5ee949b322392.jpg)
![Tim Matthews member of British Elbow and Shoulder Society](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_3b388d1f0c0d4b5aae9c8fc2e506f323.jpg/v1/fill/w_171,h_56,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_3b388d1f0c0d4b5aae9c8fc2e506f323.jpg)
![Tim Matthews, RCS Advanced Surgical Standards](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/24ae0b_15b52e80d89b4315b50d00f9c98c37be.jpeg/v1/fill/w_138,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/24ae0b_15b52e80d89b4315b50d00f9c98c37be.jpeg)