Types

Shoulder (AC) Arthritis

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If your shoulder hurts or feels stiff when you reach up to take an item from a shelf, you may have shoulder, or AC arthritis. This is arthritis that occurs in your acromioclavicular, or AC, joint. Your AC joint is between your collar bone, or clavicle, and a part of your shoulder blade called the acromion. Your other shoulder joint is the glenohumeral joint, which is located between your arm and shoulder blade. Arthritis can occur in either joint, but it’s more common in the AC joint.

Online Medical Reviewer: Foster, Sara, RN, MPH

Online Medical Reviewer: newMentor board-certified, academically affiliated clinician

Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2021

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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