Acromioclavicular Joint: What to Look for

Abstract

Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) pathology is a common source of shoulder girdle pain, frequently coexisting with and sharing overlapping clinical features of rotator cuff and glenohumeral articular lesions. ACJ trauma and osteoarthritis dominate clinical presentation; however, an array of pathologies can affect the joint. MR imaging of the ACJ is a powerful secondary diagnostic tool in early diagnosis of ACJ pathology and in accurate assessment of ACJ injuries, helping to resolve clinically challenging cases and allowing for individualized treatment planning. Knowledge of ACJ anatomy, biomechanics, and pathology is fundamental to interpreting and providing a clinically relevant ACJ MR imaging report.

Keywords: Acromioclavicular joint; MR imaging; Rockwood classification; Shoulder girdle.