Examining Methods of the Acromioclavicular Articulation

X-ray examination is suitable for diagnostics of arthritic changes, fractures, luxations or subluxations, mainly at taking pictures of pressuring positions, i.e. if the examinated limb is weighed by weights. At ruptures stabilizing the ligament there is a  shift of the clavicle towards the acromion. Above mentioned pathological states are not the most frequent causes of the problems, therefore the X-ray examination without traumatic anamnesis does not have any significance in most cases.

The ultrasound examination examines well osseous surfaces. Therefore this method can be used for a judging of a dislocation of bones in the acromioclavicular articulation even if conventional X-ray picture has more practical usage, mainly at the X-ray picture with a load. A main advantage of the ultrasound is in a possibility of a manifestation of an articular filling in the area, and an effusion of the articular capsule of the acromioclavicular articulation. In the case of a presence of a liquid, we find a bulge of the articular capsule in the area of the joint. With regarding to a small capacity of the articular capsule, the ultrasound examination is clear only at a bigger filling, and it relies very much on experience of a doctor. But we think that the ultrasound examination is the only accessible and timely method for the diagnostics of arthritis (see acromioclavicular arthritis). At the beginning we underestimated this articulation, but now we never forget to examine the acromioclavicular articulation, mainly when there are anamnestic data showing an inflammatory affection, when we find nothing that is pathological on the remaining examined structures² on the ultrasound.  

²mainly in the tendon of the long head of the biceps