Acromioclavicular joint (AP weight-bearing view)
The acromioclavicular joint AP weight-bearing view, often performed together with the normal non-weight-bearing AP view, helps in ruling out joint displacement when it is suspected but not confirmed on the frontal image.
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Indications
This view is used in the assessment of possible acromioclavicular joint separation and may be done bilaterally to allow comparison of joint spaces between the affected and unaffected side. Additionally, the bilateral weight-bearing view is able to unmask Rockwood Type V acromioclavicular joint injuries 1.
Note: Such functional views should not be performed on trauma patients without the strict instructions of a qualified clinician.
Patient position
- the patient is erect holding a weight in the hand of the affected side
- the patient's back is against the image receptor
- the acromioclavicular joint of the affected side is at the center of the image receptor
- affected arm is in a neutral position by the patient side
Technical factors
- anteroposterior projection
-
centering point
- at the acromioclavicular joint
-
collimation
- superior to the skin margins
- inferior to the humeral head
- lateral to include the skin margin
- medial to lateral third of the clavicle
-
orientation
- landscape
-
detector size
- 18 cm x 24 cm
-
exposure
- 60-70 kVp
- 10-15 mAs
-
SID
- 100 cm
-
grid
- yes (this can vary departmentally)
Image technical evaluation
- the acromioclavicular joint is central to the image with no overlap
- the image is appropriately annotated weight-bearing
Practical points
This projection can be very painful for a patient with an AC joint injury; it is highly recommended that everything is set up and positioned so that the last thing you do is hand the weights over.
Related Radiopaedia articles
Radiographic views
- imaging in practice
- paediatric radiography
- general radiography (adult)
- shunt series
- chest radiography
- abdominal radiography
-
upper limb radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
- scapula series
-
shoulder series
- AP view
- internal rotation view
- external rotation view
- superoinferior axial view
- inferosuperior axial view
- modified trauma axial
- supine lateral
- modified supine lateral
- Y lateral view
- AP glenoid view (Grashey view)
- apical oblique view (Garth view)
- humerus (neck) AP view
- humerus axial (bicipital groove) view (Fisk view)
- outlet view (Neer view)
- Stryker notch view
- acromioclavicular joint series
- clavicle series
- sternoclavicular joint series
- arm and forearm radiography
- wrist and hand radiography
-
shoulder girdle radiography
-
lower limb radiography
- pelvic girdle radiography
- thigh and leg radiography
- ankle and foot radiography
- skull radiography
-
paranasal sinuses and facial bones radiography
- facial bones
- Caldwell view (angled skull PA view)
- nasal bones
- zygomatic arches
- orbits
- paranasal sinuses
- temporal bones
- dental radiography
- orthopantomography (OPG)
- mandible
- temporomandibular joints
- spine radiography