The effect of acromioclavicular joint degeneration on orthopedic shoulder tests
Alper Murat Ulaşlı1, Serap Erkeç2, Seçil Uyar2, Barış Nacır2, Ömer Yılmaz3, Hatice Rana Erdem2
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medicine Faculty of Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey
2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
3Department of Radiology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Keywords: Acromioclavicular joint; injection; intraarticular; shoulder impingement syndrome; shoulder pain.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) degeneration on orthopedic shoulder tests (OST) and to determine complementary role of ACJ injections in the treatment of subacromial shoulder impingements.
Patients and methods: At a secondary care center, 62 patients (56 females, 6 males; mean age 55.8±9.3 years; range 35 to 74 years) with the clinical and radiological diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome were enrolled to the study. Two injections were applied to ACJ and subacromial space. Patients were assessed through OSTs (Neer, Hawkins- Kennedy, empty can, full can, external rotation resistance, lift-off and cross-body adduction tests) at baseline and after injection to ACJ and subacromial space. Visual analog scale was used for overall pain.
Results: Two injections and three sets of OSTs were performed on the patients. A significant difference was found in the all OSTs after ACJ injection (p<0.001). Visual analog scale scores improved significantly following both ACJ and subacromial injections (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Concomitant ACJ diseases should assessed carefully in the patients with rotator cuff lesions, as it may change the type of management approach.