What is AC joint pain?
Local tenderness at the very top of the shoulder, pain when bringing the arm across to the opposite shoulder, and discomfort during overhead loading are typical. Post-traumatic AC joint injury, osteoarthritis, or repetitive loading can be the cause.
How can laser help?
There is supportive data for HILT in shoulder pain and periarticular soft tissues; however, the number of clinical studies specific to the AC joint is small. The goal is pain reduction and rehabilitation tolerance.
The role of 980 nm
It can be used for superficial joint and surrounding soft tissue targets.
The role of 1470 nm
Because the AC joint is very superficial, it is anatomically accessible; however, there is no clinical efficacy data specific to 1470 nm, and the superficial thermal dose must be adjusted carefully.
What does the scientific evidence say?
Evidence level: C. The shoulder and HILT literature is supportive, but direct evidence specific to AC joint pain is limited.
Our approach in our Bodrum clinic
In our Bodrum clinic, for upper shoulder pain, the AC joint, rotator cuff, subacromial structures, and cervical sources are differentiated. If laser is to be applied, because the clinical target is superficial, it is planned in a controlled manner with a low-to-moderate thermal load; it is accompanied by exercise and load modification.
When is a different evaluation needed?
In cases of marked deformity, instability, or severe loss of motion after trauma, imaging and orthopedic evaluation are required first.
References
- PMID 39652213 — HILT musculoskeletal pain umbrella review.
- PMID 41964853 — HILT in tendinopathy meta-analysis; shoulder region data provides indirect support.
Information
This content is general health information.
