Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of a shoulder AC joint separation?

• A. Numbness and tingling in fingers
• B. Pain at AC joint
• C. Visible step-off or bump
• D. Tenderness over AC joint

Answer: (D)

AC joint separations typically present with signs centered around the joint itself. You’ll see pain right at the AC joint, tenderness when you press over it, and, in more severe cases, a visible step-off or bump where the clavicle has shifted relative to the acromion. Swelling and limited motion are also common as a result of joint injury and surrounding tissue irritation.

Numbness or tingling in the fingers, however, is not a direct, typical sign of an AC joint separation. That symptom points more toward nerve involvement—such as irritation or injury to the brachial plexus or cervical nerves—rather than the joint injury itself. If numbness appears after shoulder trauma, it warrants evaluation for possible nerve or neck-related issues in addition to the AC joint injury.

So the sign that isn’t typical for an AC joint separation is numbness and tingling in the fingers.