Synonyms
Shoulder, acromioclavicular joint, AC – joint, sternum, clavicle, acromion, coracoid, acromion, coracoid, sternoclavicular joint, ACG, clavicle fracture, clavicle fracture, acromioclavicular dislocation
Anatomy of the shoulder girdle
In the shoulder girdle, a distinction is made between the sternoclavicular joint (sternoclavicular joint) and the acromioclavicular joint (acromioclavicular joint = AC joint = ACG) on both sides. The shoulder joint itself is not included in the shoulder girdle. The collar bone and the shoulder blade belong to the bony shoulder girdle.
The sternosacrocollarbone joint of the shoulder girdle is formed by a recess in the upper sternum and the inner (medial) end of the clavicle. As with any joint, it has a cartilaginous surface, joint mucosa and a joint capsule. The joint capsule is additionally stabilized by numerous ligament structures.
Inside the joint, this joint of the shoulder girdle is divided by a fibrocartilaginous joint disc (discus artikularis), which has a kind of buffer and pressure distribution function similar to the menisci in the knee joint. The acromioclavicular joint is formed by the scapula process (acromion) and the lateral clavicle end. Here, too, there is an articular disc in the joint, as well as ligament structures that reinforce the joint capsule (acromioclavicular ligaments). Further stabilization is achieved by the coracoclavicular ligaments, which lie outside the joint and extend from another shoulder blade process (coracoid coracoid) to the collarbone.
- Clavicle
- ACG = Shoulder joint
- Acromion (shoulder height)
- Shoulder Joint
- HumerusUpper arm bone
Function
The shoulder girdle is the bony connection between the trunk and the arms (upper extremities) of a person. The sternoclavicular- clavicular joint and the acromioclavicular joint are ball-and-socket joints, which are required for complete arm movement. Most movements are performed by both joints together. The acromioclavicular joint is particularly involved in the rotation of the shoulder blade during arm movements above the horizontal (elevation).
Diseases/injuries of the shoulder girdle
The shoulder girdle is quite often affected by injuries. The clavicle fracture is the second most common fracture of the human body after the wrist fracture. Acromioclavicular joint fracture
The acromioclavicular joint dislocation by falling on the outstretched arm or the shoulder itself.
But also degenerative wear and tear-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis of the sternum – clavicle joint or the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint arthrosis) occur. Acromioclavicular joint dislocation due to falling on the outstretched arm or the shoulder itself. But also degenerative wear-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis of the sternum – clavicle joint or the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint arthrosis) occur.
Pain in the shoulder is frequent, about every tenth patient reports it. However, if detected early, many causal diseases can be effectively treated. This is because the causes of pain in the shoulder region are many and varied.
They can be caused by accidents, for example during sports, or by other mechanical influences, or by metabolic disorders or inflammatory processes. In most cases, it is not the shoulder joint itself that is affected, but other structures such as ligaments, tendons and muscles. This is how pain in the shoulder joint is often diagnosed: in addition to alleviating the pain, treatment also focuses on restoring the limited mobility.
In this case, correctly performed exercises – often guided by physiotherapy – in addition to pain medication can not only help to alleviate the pain and improve mobility. If they have been practiced before, they can also effectively prevent the development of some of the listed causes of pain.
- Dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint
- Shoulder luxation (dislocation of the shoulder joint)
- Fracture of the humeral head (fracture of the humerus)
- Impingement syndrome (bottleneck syndrome)
- Tear of the rotator cuff/tendon tear
- Tendon calcification (tendinosis calcarea)
- Shoulder Arthrosis
- Rheumatism
