Accuracy of acromioclavicular joint injections
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Measurement of Dynamic Scapular Kinematics Using an Acromion Marker Cluster to Minimize Skin Movement Artifact
Published on: February 10, 2015
Bradley R Wasserman1, Sarah Pettrone, Laith M Jazrawi
1Winthrop Orthopaedic Associates, Winthrop University Hospital, Garden City, New York, USA.
Background:
Injection to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint can be both diagnostic and therapeutic.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of in vivo AC joint injections.
Study Design:
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods:
Thirty patients with pain localized to the AC joint were injected with 1 mL of 1% lidocaine and 0.5 mL of radiographic contrast material (Isovue). Radiographs of the AC joint were taken after the injection. Each radiograph was reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist and graded as intra-articular, extra-articular, or partially intra-articular.
Results:
Of the 30 injections performed, 13 (43.3%) were intra-articular, 7 (23.3%) were partially articular, and 10 (33.3%) were extra-articular. When the intra-articular and the partially articular groups were combined, 20 patients (66.7%) had some contrast dye in the AC joint.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that despite the relatively superficial location of the AC joint, the clinical accuracy of AC joint injections remains relatively low.
