When should I refer people with acromioclavicular joint disorders?
• Refer to an interface clinic (if available locally), or an orthopaedic surgeon or rheumatologist (depending on the reason for referral) if there is: • Diagnostic uncertainty. • Failure to maintain function despite conservative measures. • Inadequate improvement after 3 months of primary care treatment. • Consider earlier referral for certain groups for whom shoulder pain is particularly disabling (e.g. athletes involved in overhead sports, or people involved in heavy manual labour). • Consider urgent referral to the appropriate specialist if red flag features (including suspected dislocation) are present.
