Radiographic Findings of the Acromioclavicular joint in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

We shudied the radiographic findings in 15 cases of the classical rheumatoid arthritic shoulder (29 shoulders). These shoulders were classified into two groups according to symphomatology: 18 had symptomatic shoulders and 11 were non-symptomatic. Injection of local anesthetic was done into the acromioclavicular joint, the subacromial bursa, and the glenohumeral joint. Radiographs were graded according to the Larsen classification. Clinical symptoms and radiologic appearance are often poor indicators of the source of pain in the shoulder joint complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. About 30% of the shoulder were relieved of pain by acromioclavicular joint injection.