Diminished space in the acromioclavicular joint in forced arm adduction as a radiographic sign of degeneration and osteoarthrosis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the acromioclavicular joint by radiography under forced arm adduction to demonstrate diminished joint space as a sign of cartilage degeneration and osteoarthrosis. A total of 192 right and left joints were investigated in 96 healthy working men. There were three main results from the manoeuvre: in 135 of the 192 joints the space was reduced, in 33 joints it was unchanged, and in 24 joints the joint space was increased. In 43 joints (22% of the total) a marked reduction of the joint space to 1 mm or less occurred during the manoeuvre; in the remaining 92 joints with space reduction the reduction was less pronounced. A narrow acromioclavicular joint space during forced adduction of the arm indicates cartilage thinning and may be interpreted as a sign of osteoarthrosis.

Diagnostic Value of Physical Tests for Isolated Chronic Acromioclavicular Lesions

“…Previous studies in the literature indicate that the presence of radiologic arthritic changes of the AC joint does not correlate well with the presence of symptoms. 3,[26][27][28]34 Several studies using plain radiographs and MRI have demonstrated the increasing incidence of degenerative changes of the AC joint with age. [30][31][32]36 The conclusion of these studies is that the presence of AC arthritis on MRI or plain radiographs is not an adequate criterion for the diagnosis of AC joint lesions.…”

In Vivo Analysis of Acromioclavicular Kinematics and Distance During Multiplanar Humeral Elevation

“…Some studies measured the distance of the intact AC joint on standard anterior-posterior radiography and reported a mean of 2.6 to 3.9 mm, which is consistent with the AC distance at the initial position in the present study. 19,37,44 In the current study, the change in AC distance during arm elevation was tracked in vivo using a specially designed method, and it was found that the distance decreased significantly from the initial position to 75°. Meanwhile, the location of the minimum distance between the ASDC and MBA was discovered to be changing; briefly, it moved anteriorly as the elevation angle increased.…”

“…To date, dynamic AC joint distance has only been investigated by a few studies, which primarily focused on the AC distance or space with the arm relaxed. 8,16,19,37,44 Filho et al 8 dissected the AC joint capsule and measured the AC distance without active muscle contractions. Jensen et al 16 reported the average AC distance (4.9 mm) on the uninjured side of patients with AC joint reconstruction by ultrasound; however, only 1 frontal plane of the AC joint was used for measurements, by which the minimum distance between the acromion and the clavicle was unable to be obtained.…”

L’évaluation de l’articulation acromio-claviculaire par radiographie standard est-elle pertinente ?

“…En pratique clinique le positionnement du patient est difficilement reproductible, et plusieurs éléments peuvent gêner son installation (difficultés à la station debout, douleur, raideur rachidienne et déformation scoliotique…), l'angle d'incidence des rayons X au niveau de l'articulation étudiée n'est donc pas maîtrisé. Le pincement de l'interligne articulaire n'est pas interprétable sur les radiographies standard [16,17]. Il est donc nécessaire de faire une analyse globale de l'articulation, en recherchant d'ostéophytes ou de géodes.…”