Primary motions
- Frontal plane: Upward & downward rotation2
Doctor of Physical Therapy
B.S. in Kinesiology
Doctor of Physical Therapy
B.A. in Neuroscience
The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) is a gliding/plane joint that refers to the articulation between the lateral aspect of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula2.
The joint consists of:
The part of the acromion that accepts the clavicular facet faces superiorly and medially2.
The connective tissue of the ACJ includes:
The coracoclavicular ligament provides passive stability to the AC joint2.
This ligament is broken into 2 distinct parts:
The trapezoid lig. extends superolaterally from the superior surface of the coracoid process to the trapezoid line on the clavicle2.
The conoid ligament near vertically from the proximal base of the coracoid process to the conoid tubercle on the clavicle2.
The coracoclavicular lig. is one of the strongest ligaments in the shoulder2. The coracoclavicular ligaments’ near-vertical attachment, suggest that it plays an important role in suspending the scapula and subsequent upper extremity from the clavicle2.
The superior capsular ligament is reinforced by the deltoid and trapezius attachments2.
The articular surfaces of the clavicle and acromion are lined with a layer of fibrocartilage tissue2.
The fibrocartilaginous articular disc separates the articular surfaces at the ACJ2. Based on cadaveric dissection, the acromioclavicular articular disc is found “fully complete” in only 10% of cadavers, indicating that this joint is prone to degeneration2.
The motions of the ACJ have both proximal and distal functions. Proximally, the ACJ’s motions help to maintain the optimal mobility and alignment of the scapulothoracic joint2.
Distally, the ACJ orients the scapula to optimize the articulation of the glenohumeral joint2.
The ACJ’s motions are described based on scapular movement relative to the clavicle2.
The ACJ is a triaxial joint with 3 degrees of freedom:
Since the joint surfaces of the clavicle and scapula are so flat, the concave-convex rules do not apply to this joint2.
Coracoclavicular (Conoid and Trapezoid) helps posterior rotation
Coracoacromial ligament makes up the roof of the GHJ
Upward rotation refers to when the scapula moves upward and outward in the frontal plane relative to the clavicle2. The ACJ can have up to 30° of upward rotation2.
Upward rotation is important during full shoulder abduction or flexion2. This motion is an important factor in scapulohumeral rhythm and scapulothoracic mobility2.
Downward rotation of the ACJ refers to the motion of returning the scapula from upward rotation back to neutral2. Downward rotation is associated with shoulder adduction or extension2.
ACJ anterior tilt refers to the anterior horizontal movement of the glenoid fossa in the sagittal plane2.
Anterior tilt is an important component in full shoulder flexion.
ACJ posterior tilt refers to the posterior horizontal movement of the glenoid fossa in the sagittal plane2.
Posterior tilt is best appreciated during full shoulder extension.
Internal rotation (IR) is a secondary motion of the ACJ that refers to the rotation of the glenoid fossa in the transverse plane2. ACJ IR is considered a “secondary motion” since it functions to maintain scapular alignment with the thorax2.
ACJ IR is important during full protraction and horizontal adduction.
ACJ external rotation (IR) is a secondary motion of the ACJ that refers to the rotation of the glenoid fossa away from midline in the transverse plane2. ACJ ER is considered a “secondary motion” since it functions to maintain scapular alignment with the thorax2.
ACJ ER is important during full retraction and horizontal abduction.
Suprascapular nerve provides sensory and sympathetic afferent fibers to the ACJ3
AC joint injuries are a common shoulder injury in contact sports2. Most ACJ injuries are partial strains, but dislocations can occur at this joint as well2.
The ACJ is susceptible to dislocation due to the sloped orientation of the articular facets as well as the likelihood of receiving shear forces through the UE2.
For example, if one were to fall and strike the superior aspect of the shoulder, this can result in an inferior and medial translation of the acromion on the clavicle2.
The superior and inferior capsular ligaments act as the 1st line of defense in preventing the acromion from dislocating inferomedially2. If the translation is severe enough, the coracoclavicular ligament can secondary resistance to horizontal shear2.
If the shear force exceeds the strength of the active and passive stabilizers, this can result in muscle strain, ligament ruptuer, and dislocation of the ACJ2.
Chronic trauma to the ACJ and its CT may result in instability and compensatory movement and postural patterns of the scapulothoracic joint2. These patterns may result in posttraumatic ACJ osteoarthritis2.
An anterior glide mobilization of the ACJ is indicated for patients with limited mobility of the ACJ4.
If the patient is in prone, you can stabilize the acromion by placing a towel under the ipsilateral shoulder4.