American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What symptom is characteristic of acromioclavicular joint degeneration?

1. Pain in the anterior shoulder

2. Tenderness to palpation of the acromioclavicular joint

3. Clicks during shoulder rotation

4. Swelling around the shoulder joint

The correct answer is: Tenderness to palpation of the acromioclavicular joint

Tenderness to palpation of the acromioclavicular joint is a key symptom indicative of its degeneration. This condition, often resulting from wear and tear, trauma, or repetitive overhead activities, leads to localized inflammation and structural changes within the joint. When a patient with acromioclavicular joint degeneration is examined, specific tenderness directly over the acromioclavicular joint is commonly noted, which can help clinicians differentiate this condition from other shoulder pathologies. While pain in the anterior shoulder can occur in various shoulder conditions, it is not as specific to acromioclavicular joint degeneration. Similarly, clicks during shoulder rotation and swelling around the shoulder joint may also be associated with different shoulder issues and do not provide the same direct correlation to acromioclavicular degeneration as tenderness does. Direct palpation tenderness remains a hallmark of this condition, helping to guide both diagnosis and management.