AC Joint Injury

A tear of the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon anchors, common in throwers and after a fall on an outstretched arm.

SLAP Tear

A sprain or separation of the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, usually from a fall onto the point of the shoulder.

AC Joint Injury

Inflammation, fraying or tearing of the biceps tendon where it anchors inside the shoulder, often alongside rotator cuff or labral problems.

Biceps Tendon Injury

Inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion between the rotator cuff and the bony roof of the shoulder, causing pain with reaching and lying on that side.

Shoulder Bursitis

Breaks of the collarbone, the upper arm bone at the shoulder, or the shoulder blade, from falls and collisions. Many heal in a sling; some need fixation or replacement.

Shoulder Fractures

Damage to the smooth cartilage surface of the ball or socket, from a dislocation, an injury or early wear, that causes pain, catching and the start of arthritis.

Shoulder Cartilage Injury

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow in baseball, softball and other overhead athletes: labral tears, internal impingement, biceps problems and elbow ligament strain.

Throwing Injuries

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

AC Joint Injury

The AC joint is where the collarbone meets the acromion, the bony roof of the shoulder.

A fall onto the point of the shoulder sprains or tears its ligaments, and the collarbone rides up.Separations are graded from a sprain with no shift to a complete tear with the collarbone sitting well above the joint.

Treated by

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

or call801-640-0000

AC Joint Injury

Symptoms

Pain at the top of the shoulder after a fall, worse reaching across the body.A visible bump where the collarbone ends. Pain lying on that side.

Higher-grade separations show a step-off you can see and feel.

Common signs

Pain on top of the shoulder after a fall

A bump where the collarbone ends

Pain reaching across the body

Pain lying on that side

See us sooner if

A step-off you can see

Numbness in the arm

AC Joint Injury

Causes

Falls onto the shoulder in cycling, skiing, football and hockey are the classic cause.A direct blow does the same. Repetitive lifting can wear the joint and cause arthritis there without an injury.Men between twenty and forty are most often affected.

AC Joint Injury

How We Diagnose It

Exam finds tenderness over the joint and reproduces pain with the arm across the body.X-rays grade the separation. MRI is reserved for cases where other injuries are suspected.The grade decides the treatment.Mountain bike and ski falls onto the point of the shoulder are the most common cause we see. Dr. Taylor, Dr. Christensen and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and American Fork Hospital.

AC Joint Injury

Treatment Options

Low-grade separations heal with a sling, ice and physical therapy over four to six weeks, and most patients return to sport without surgery.High-grade separations in active patients, and chronic painful joints, are treated with arthroscopic or open ligament reconstruction.

Your options

Non-surgical

Sling 4 to 6 weeks

Ice

Physical therapy

Surgical

Ligament reconstruction

AC Joint Surgery

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Clavicle Fracture Repair

AC Joint Injury

Procedures That Address It

AC Joint Surgery

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Clavicle Fracture Repair

AC Joint Injury

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330