An acromioclavicular joint separation, or AC joint separation or shoulder separation, occurs when the clavicle separates from the scapula. It is commonly caused by a fall directly on the ‘point’ of the shoulder or by a direct blow received in a contact sport.
Types of AC joint injuries
The part of the scapula that makes up the roof of the shoulder and connects with the clavicle is called the acromion. The joint where the acromion and the clavicle join is the AC joint. In some ways, the AC joint is like any other joint. It has two bones that need to connect but be flexible as well.
149: ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT SEPARATION.
What is the AC joint? The acromioclavicular, or AC, joint is a joint in the shoulder where two bones meet. One of these bones is the collarbone, or clavicle. The second bone is actually part of the shoulder blade (scapula), which is the big bone behind the shoulder that also forms part of the shoulder joint.
Grade 5—Involves tearing of the joint covering (capsule) and ligaments connecting the shoulder blade (scapula) and collar bone (clavicle), and the end of the collar bone (clavicle) tears through the muscle covering (fascia) above it. Results in a large, permanent bump over the top of the shoulder at the AC joint.
Grade III- The most severe shoulder separation. This completely tears both the AC and CC ligaments and puts the AC joint noticeably out of position, with a larger bump.
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the cap of the shoulder (acromion) and the collar bone (clavicle). It is held together by strong ligaments (figure 1). The outer end of the clavicle is held in alignment with the acromion by the acromioclavicular ligaments and the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments.
The AC joint is a plane type synovial joint, which under normal physiological conditions allows only gliding movement. As it attaches the scapula to the thorax, it allows an additional range of motion to the scapula and assists in arm movement such as shoulder abduction and flexion.
A type III separation involves injury to both the AC joint ligaments the CC ligaments. This results in complete separation between the acromion and clavicle, and treatment for this type is controversial.
Grade 2—Involves tearing of the joint covering (capsule) and stretching (but not tearing) of ligaments connecting the shoulder blade (scapula) and collar bone (clavicle). Frequently results in a small, permanent bump over the top of the shoulder at the AC joint.
A grade 4 AC separation occurs when the clavicle is severely displaced posteriorly. It is defined as “significant” posterior displacement. The grade separation definition does not have any quantifiable distance as it is determined simply by the impression of the clinician.
However, the difference between the two begins with the location of the injury in the shoulder. Shoulder separation is an injury to the ligament between the shoulder blade and collarbone. Whereas shoulder dislocation occurs when the top of the arm bone loses contact with the socket of the shoulder blade.
Though they are two separate and distinctly different injuries, shoulder dislocations and shoulder separations are easily confused. One refers to a bone popping out of a shoulder socket, while the other refers to tearing of ligaments connecting parts of the shoulder.
A positive test indicating a possible AC joint separation is when extreme pain is elicited in your shoulder during the compression. If your AC joint compression test is positive, you should visit your healthcare provider right away to confirm your suspicions and get you started on the correct treatment right away.
An AC Joint Subluxation is a partial dislocation, meaning that the clavicle goes partially out of joint, with part of the clavicle still touching the acromion. An AC Joint Subluxation looks like a small bump on top of the shoulder. The majority of people with AC Joint injuries can be treated without surgery.
However, any direct blunt force can cause an AC joint separation if severe enough. The initial symptoms are very severe pain, localized swelling and the notable presence of a “bump” on the shoulder.
A separated shoulder (also known as acromioclavicular separation, AC joint separation, AC separation), is a common injury to the acromioclavicular joint. This is not to be confused with shoulder dislocation which occurs when the humerus separates from the scapula at the glenohumeral joint.
The AC joint is located at the distal end of the clavicle, known as the acromial end, and attaches to the acromion of the scapula. Although this is part of the shoulder, a dislocation and a separation are completely different.
Acromioclavicular separation occurs as a result of a downward force being applied to the superior part of the acromion, either by something striking the top of the acromion or by falling directly on it. The injury is more likely to occur if the shoulder is struck with the hand outstretched.
Use a child code to capture more detail. ICD Code S43.11 is a non-billable code.
Despite the scapula pulling on the clavicle during impact, the clavicle remains in its general fixed position because of the sternoclavicular joint ligaments.
Dislocation of left acromioclavicular joint, greater than 200% displacement, initial encounter 1 S43.132A is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. 2 #N#Short description: Dislocation of l acromioclav jt, > 200% displacmnt, init#N#The 2021 edition of ICD-10-CM S43.132A became effective on October 1, 2020.#N#This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S43.132A - other international versions of ICD-10 S43.132A may differ.
Use secondary code (s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code. Type 1 Excludes.
The AC joint is located at the distal end of the clavicle, known as the acromial end, and attaches to the acromion of the scapula. Although this is part of the shoulder, a dislocation and a separation are completely different.
A separated shoulder (also known as acromioclavicular separation, AC joint separation, AC separation), is a common injury to the acromioclavicular joint. This is not to be confused with shoulder dislocation which occurs when the humerus separates from the scapula at the glenohumeral joint. The AC joint is located at the distal end of the clavicle, known as the acromial end, and attaches to the acromion of the scapula. Although this is part of the shoulder, a dislocation and a separation are completely different. Acromioclavicular separation occurs as a result of a downward force being applied to the superior part of the acromion, either by something striking the top of the acromion or by falling directly on it. The injury is more likely to occur if the shoulder is struck with the hand outstretched. Despite the scapula pulling on the clavicle during impact, the clavicle remains in its general fixed position because of the sternoclavicular joint ligaments.
Acromioclavicular separation occurs as a result of a downward force being applied to the superior part of the acromion, either by something striking the top of the acromion or by falling directly on it. The injury is more likely to occur if the shoulder is struck with the hand outstretched.
Use a child code to capture more detail. ICD Code S43.12 is a non-billable code.
Despite the scapula pulling on the clavicle during impact, the clavicle remains in its general fixed position because of the sternoclavicular joint ligaments.