Dharma (name changed), age 62 started feeling pain in his shoulders while lifting his arms overhead for his daily yoga practice, he didn’t give it much care. Might be a sprain due to the new exercise he has added to his routine, he thought. However, after a week he started finding it painful to cross his arm to wear the seatbelt in his car. No amount of pain relievers was having any effect. Dharma decided to consult Dr. Banarji B.H who is an Orthopaedic surgeon at the Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center in Bengaluru, India. After a thorough physical examination, Dharma was diagnosed to have AC arthritis.

The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) which is present at the tip of the shoulder forms the highest point on our shoulder. This is formed between the cap of the shoulder (acromion) and the collar bone (clavicle). It is involved in some arm movements like raising the arms overhead and extending the arms across the body. Like any other joint, ACJ has cartilage tissue which helps avoid friction between the 2 bones during movement. ACJ is one of those body parts which goes unnoticed until an injury or pain occurs.

The cardinal symptoms of AC arthritis include a piercing pain in your shoulders when you lift your hands overhead or when you reach across your body. Other symptoms include pain after sleeping on the affected side and limited motion of the shoulders. A clicking or snapping sound when the shoulder is moved (crepitus) is also a common symptom. AC arthritis occurs as the cartilage erodes leading to friction between the shoulder bone and the collar bone. As the condition progresses bony spurs known as osteophytes grow on the joints.

Dr. Banarji always suggests non-surgical treatments initially to treat AC joint arthritis and instability. These include physiotherapy to improve the movement of the shoulders, using a cold compress to reduce swelling, heat compress to loosen stiff joints, etc., Medications and steroid injections will help reduce the pain and inflammation. Surgical intervention is opted for only when non-surgical treatments prove to be ineffective.

In Dharma’s case, Dr. Banarji suggested opting for resection of the distal clavicle. In this surgical procedure, a small portion at the end of the clavicle bone is removed via arthroscopy/keyhole surgery. This reduces the friction between bones in the AC joint, thereby providing relief from the pain. For the first few weeks after the surgery, Dharma had to continue physical therapy to gain complete motion in his shoulders. After a few months, Dharma is back to doing his daily yoga without a trace of pain.

“AC joint arthritis and instability can be cured completely and you continue to have an active lifestyle after the surgical procedure”, says Dr. Banarji.

CONTACT US   

Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center

3/4, 8th Main (Water Tank Road), CHBS Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560 040.
Emergency: 9731274396

Appointment Mob:7760659606

Email:drbanarji@orthobangalore.com