This completely tears both the AC and CC ligaments and puts the AC joint noticeably out of position, with a larger bump. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury is a term that is used to describe an injury to top of the shoulder, where the front part of the shoulder blade attaches to the clavicle. And here are the AC joint specific tests… Painful Arc Test. An acromioclavicular joint separation, or AC separation, is a very frequent injury among physically active people.In this injury the clavicle (collar bone) separates from the scapula (shoulder blade). On returning to contact sports, protect your shoulder by taping the joint.Add a circular piece of padding with a hole cut in the middle over the top of your shoulder for extra protection. AC joint injuries are categorized into six grades ranked in increasing severity: Grade 1 - The ligaments are pulled but there's no tearing. If you've injured your AC joint that connects your collarbone and shoulder blade, there are important AC joint exercises to avoid further injury as you heal. There can be differences in one side compared to the other as well. Acromioclavicular joint pain or AC joint pain is a common issue that occurs in many people, especially those with active lifestyles. The Painful Arc test is useful because where the pain occurs can tell you if you’ve got AC Joint injury or shoulder impingement.. Grade III- The most severe shoulder separation. It can be due to trauma, such as joint dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint or degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis. Before returning to any type of sport following an AC joint injury you should have full pain-free range of motion. AC Joint Separation Symptoms . The acromioclavicular joint is located in the shoulder, the joint that connects the collarbone also called the clavicle the upper section of the shoulder blade known as the acromion. Disorders is a general term to cover a range of conditions. Simply lift your arm up to the side as high up as you can until its overhead (don’t force it if it hurts) and see where the pain … It can be brought about by a traumatic event, like a fall directly on outside of the shoulder, or … They may cause pain with certain motions (i.e. Bump on Shoulder ac Joint. This is especially true if there was a previous injury to the AC joint. It is commonly caused by a fall directly on the "point" of the shoulder or a direct blow received in a contact sport. However, by the time pain sets in, you may already have developed arthritis, a labral tear, or some other shoulder issue. If your particular shoulder popping with no pain falls in the bad news category, until there is pain, your doctor is probably not going to suggest any treatment—remember, they typically ignore these issues. 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