Shoulder injuries and various types of arthritis can lead to **acromioclavicular joint pain** (AC)... this joint in the shoulder connects the clavicle to part of the shoulder. One of the most important functions of the acromioclavicular joint is the movement of the arm, it actually helps to coordinate movement in the upper parts of the body. Damage to this part of the shoulder joint may occur following a fall during sports, skiing or cycling. Certain types of arthritis damage the acromioclavicular joint and get worse over time.... We will explain more about acromioclavicular (AC) joint pain below. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint introduction Shoulder structure consists of three bones including the humerus, clavicle and shoulder blade. The AC joint connects the upper part of the shoulder blade to the clavicle. The acromion process is a flat bony structure that protrudes from the shoulder blade. The AC joint connects the acromion process to the clavicle. When the acromioclavicular joint is working properly, it contributes to the range of motion of the shoulder blade.... The AC joint is a type of synovial joint, one of the three main types of joints in the body. The synovial joint contains a cavity filled with synovial fluid.... This fluid helps to lubricate the joint and move it. The cause of acromioclavicular joint pain One of the most common causes of such a complication is shoulder injury as well as arthritis....we will explain more. ### damages More than 40% of shoulder injuries are related to damage to the AC joint... Usually such problems occur during sports encounters.... A high rate of this injury has been observed in athletes of these types of sports: - Skiing - cycling - football - ice hockey - Lacrosse For more information, read the article Treatment of Sports Injuries. The possibility of causing such injuries may occur in car accidents or other accidents.... Falling directly on the shoulder is one of the most common causes of AC joint injury. Acromioclavicular joint pain is much more common among men than women.. Men aged 20 to 30 are more prone to such injuries. Injury to this joint can include sprains or torn ligaments around the joint....People who feel pain in their shoulder after falling should see a pain specialist for treatment. ### Arthritis Shoulder arthritis is another possible cause of joint pain....osteoarthritis usually affects the AC joint and the cartilage....it's actually a protective tissue that covers the outside of the bone. When the cartilage wears down, the space between the connecting bones becomes smaller. The bones rub against each other, leading to pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints.. This type of arthritis can cause pain in the acromioclavicular joint. Acromioclavicular joint pain treatment Treatment for AC joint varies depending on the severity and cause of the injury....If you have a mild to moderate injury, it can be treated with treatment solutions such as physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and oral pain relievers. If non-surgical solutions are not effective, the doctor will eventually consider surgery to treat the condition.. For people with shoulder arthritis, weight loss or moderate exercise may be helpful... Other treatment options are as follows: - Ointment or local pain reliever creams - acetaminophen - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ### Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection Anyone with acromioclavicular joint pain that does not go away should see a pain specialist. The doctor will review the patient's symptoms and condition and recommend the best treatment method. When you should see a doctor If you have severe and constant pain in the shoulder area, you should see a pain specialist.... People who are at risk of shoulder arthritis should also see a doctor to check their condition. The people who are exposed to this disease are as follows: - elderly - Family history of shoulder arthritis - smoking - History of joint injuries - Overweight or obese people Chronic shoulder pain may be a sign of AC joint damage or shoulder arthritis. People who experience persistent shoulder pain or are concerned about shoulder pain should see a pain specialist. The last word The acromioclavicular joint connects the upper part of the shoulder blade to the clavicle. In fact, a healthy AC joint helps with movement in the arm and range of motion in the shoulder. Injuries to the shoulder or different types of arthritis may lead to acromioclavicular joint pain that does not go away. These may include sports injuries, arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Anyone who experiences shoulder pain that does not go away or worsens over time should definitely see a doctor for examination and treatment.