CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

For imaging the AC joints, what does the use of weights indicate?

1. Articulation stability

2. Joint separation

3. Bone density

4. Tendon damage

The correct answer is: Joint separation

The use of weights when imaging the acromioclavicular (AC) joints primarily serves to assess joint separation. When a patient is instructed to hold weights during the imaging, it creates tension across the joint, which can reveal the degree of separation between the clavicle and the acromion. This increased stress on the joint allows for a clearer visualization of any displacement that may be present, helping to diagnose conditions such as AC joint injuries or separations. In the context of the other options, articulation stability would typically be inferred from images taken under normal conditions without weights. Bone density assessments would require different imaging techniques focused on the bone's integrity rather than the joint itself. Tendon damage may be assessed indirectly through changes in joint position or alignment but does not specifically relate to the use of weights during an AC joint examination. Therefore, the presence of weights in AC joint imaging is a specific indicator of evaluating potential joint separation.