A shoulder separation (acromioclavicular joint injury) occurs when the
outer end of the collarbone (clavicle) separates from the end (acromion)
of the shoulder blade because of torn ligaments.
Causes of a Separated Shoulder
A separated shoulder is a common injury among football quarterbacks, but
it can happen to anyone who falls and lands on the tip of their shoulder.
The result can be an injury to the muscles, tendons and ligaments that
hold the bones in your shoulder together.
Separated Shoulder Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a separated shoulder include severe pain at the moment
the injury occurs; limited movement in the shoulder area due to pain;
swelling and bruising. There may also be a possible deformity. The outer
end of the collarbone may look out of place, or there may be a bump on
top of the shoulder.
Separated Shoulder Treatment Options
Since the severity of injuries may vary greatly, doctors treat separated
shoulders on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if your injury is mild,
you will probably wear a sling for a few days until the pain subsides.
Use ice during the first 48 hours. You may also use anti-inflammatory
medications and pain relievers. When the pain in your shoulder eases,
you may resume your normal activities. However, if both ligaments are
torn or your injury is severe, you may need surgery. After surgery, expect
to immobilize your shoulder in a sling for up to a month. Whether treated
conservatively or with surgery, your shoulder will require rehabilitation
to restore and rebuild motion, strength and flexibility.
Schedule a consultation with a Newport Orthopedic Institute orthopedic
shoulder surgeon in Orange County to treat your separated shoulder. Call
(949) 722-7038.
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Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"I just want to say thanks for every thing. God bless you Dr. Russell Petrie and all your team thank you very much."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Petrie Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Detailed explanation of what was done to repair the injury and available for any follow up questions."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Petrie Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Dr. Petrie and his team have been fantastic. Taking time, answering questions, following up."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Dr. Petrie & Karri are both very professional, courteous, and friendly. They answer any question you may have directly and in a manner that is easy to understand. They laid out the pros and cons of the surgical procedure and presented the success rate."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Dr. Petrie explained things very well. Staff (front desk, nurses, support) were all spectacular."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"I appreciated the full explanation of what was going on in my shoulder and being told the plans in advance of what to expect. Seeing the surgical photos of the steps taken during the procedure was awesome."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Petrie Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"I liked the check-ins with HealthLoop & the info provided there (to-do list, resources, etc). I appreciated the opportunity to communicate with Julie via Health Loop, having my questions addressed promptly, making sure I didn't run out of pain meds durin ..."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"They were so nice and so good at answering all my questions. They were also great at scheduling my surgery and all my appointments."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Dr. Petrie was thorough and explained the surgery and recovery. I'm 5 1/2 months post surgery and my shoulder feels 99% normal. Better than I'd ever imagined!"Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"Dr. Petrie took a conservative approach with me at first and didn't rush me to surgery. Once we did get to surgery, he did a great job. I also appreciate the time Dr. Petrie takes with me."Provider: Russell S Petrie MD
Shoulder Scope With Reconstruction"After care communication with staff was excellent. They were very friendly and effective with my concerns and requests."Provider: David S Gazzaniga MD
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