Acromioclavicular distance
Updates to Article Attributes
The acromioclavicular distance, also called acromioclavicular or joint space, is an important measurement in the evaluation of acromioclavicular joint injury.
Measurement
The acromioclavicular distance is assessed on the frontal radiograph of the shoulder as the distance between the medial cortex of the acromion and the lateral cortex of the clavicle.
Alternatively, the measurement can be taken as the average of the distances between the superior and inferior borders of the acromioclavicular joint, which has the advantage of smoothing irregularities of the joint space and can be used for more precise studies 2.
Interpretation
A normal acromioclavicular distance is between 1-3 mm, some authors consider the normal range to be 3-4 mm. As the distance is narrowed with aging, joint space of 0.5 mm can be considered normal in elderly patients. The distance is considered to be suggestive of acromioclavicular ligament lesion if it is >7 mm in men and >6 mm in women 2.
See also
-<p>The <strong>acromioclavicular distance</strong>, also called acromioclavicular joint space, is an important measurement in the evaluation of <a href="/articles/acromioclavicular-joint-injury-1">acromioclavicular joint injury</a>.</p><h4>Measurement</h4><p>The acromioclavicular distance is assessed on the frontal radiograph of the shoulder as the distance between the medial cortex of the acromion and the lateral cortex of the clavicle.</p><p>Alternatively, the measurement can be taken as the average of the distances between the superior and inferior borders of the acromioclavicular joint, which has the advantage of smoothing irregularities of the joint space and can be used for more precise studies <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Interpretation</h4><p>A normal acromioclavicular distance is between 1-3 mm, some authors consider the normal range to be 3-4 mm. As the distance is narrowed with aging, joint space of 0.5 mm can be considered normal in elderly patients. The distance is considered to be suggestive of acromioclavicular ligament lesion if it is >7 mm in men and >6 mm in women <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>- +<p>The <strong>acromioclavicular distance </strong>or <strong>joint space</strong> is an important measurement in the evaluation of <a href="/articles/acromioclavicular-joint-injury-1">acromioclavicular joint injury</a>.</p><h4>Measurement</h4><p>The acromioclavicular distance is assessed on the frontal radiograph of the shoulder as the distance between the medial cortex of the acromion and the lateral cortex of the clavicle.</p><p>Alternatively, the measurement can be taken as the average of the distances between the superior and inferior borders of the acromioclavicular joint, which has the advantage of smoothing irregularities of the joint space and can be used for more precise studies <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Interpretation</h4><p>A normal acromioclavicular distance is between 1-3 mm, some authors consider the normal range to be 3-4 mm. As the distance is narrowed with aging, joint space of 0.5 mm can be considered normal in elderly patients. The distance is considered to be suggestive of acromioclavicular ligament lesion if it is >7 mm in men and >6 mm in women <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>