Separated Shoulder
A separated shoulder is an injury to one of your body's most mobile joints. The top of your shoulder blade meets the end of your collarbone at what is called the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. A separated shoulder is a stretch or tears of one or more of the ligaments of this joint.
What Causes a Separated Shoulder?
A separated shoulder can be caused by a fall, blunt trauma, contact sports, car or bicycle accident or from lifting heavy objects.
What Are the Symptoms of a Separated Shoulder?
- Shoulder pain
- A bump about the top of the shoulder
- The feeling that something is sticking up on the shoulder
- Shoulder or arm weakness
- Bruising or swelling at the shoulder
- Sharp pain with arm movement
Seek medical immediately if there is tenderness or pain near the end of your collarbone or if lifting both arms lessens the pain. Ice the injury until you can receive medical attention.
How Is a Separated Shoulder Evaluated?
Your physician will conduct a physical exam and may order X-rays or an MRI to asses the extent of the injury. The severity of the injury is evaluated by how far the collarbone is separated from the shoulder.
How Is a Separated Shoulder Treated?
Self Care
- Rest. You may have to immobilize your arm in a sling.
- Ice every few hours for 20 minutes, especially in the first few days after injury
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for pain relief
- Physical therapy and gentle stretching exercises
- Don't resume full activity until you can freely move the injured arm or you will risk permanent damage
Surgical
If the separation is severe and doesn't respond to the conservative approach, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the injured joint and repair the stretched ligaments. See Shoulder Surgery.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).