What is shoulder separation?

A shoulder separation is a tearing of the ligaments that connect two bones of the shoulder—the collarbone (clavicle) and the end of the shoulder blade (acromion). The ligaments can be partially or completely torn. This is usually caused by a blow to the top of the shoulder or a fall onto an outstretched arm.

Shoulder injuries can be slow to heal, but with time and effort, your shoulder should get better. Physical therapy can help you regain strength, motion, and flexibility in your shoulder.

Symptoms of a shoulder separation include pain when the injury occurs. Limited shoulder movement as well as swelling and bruising may follow. The small joint over the shoulder may be tender. A deformity is possible at the outer end of the collarbone. There may be a bump on top of the shoulder.

Treatment of a shoulder separation depends on its severity. For a type I or II injury, you support your shoulder with a sling. You typically need the sling until the discomfort decreases (a few days to a week). Early physical therapy to strengthen your shoulder and regain range of motion is important for recovery and to prevent frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), a condition that limits shoulder motion . You can return to normal exercises and activities as your pain and other symptoms go away.

Treatment for type III injuries can vary. Some doctors treat them with a sling and physical therapy, while others feel surgery may be needed.

Type IV through VI injuries should be evaluated for possible surgery.

A shoulder separation is diagnosed through a medical history, a physical exam, and an X-ray. Your doctor will check for a deformity (bump), check your range of motion, and assess muscle strength. The doctor will take your pulse and look at your skin color and temperature.

• If your doctor put your arm in a sling, wear the sling as directed. Do not take it off before your doctor tells you to.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Rest your shoulder as much as you can.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your shoulder for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You may use warm packs after the first 3 days for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to ease pain.
• If your doctor gave you exercises to do at home, do them exactly as instructed.
• Do not do anything that makes pain worse.
• Go to all follow-up appointments. You and your doctor will decide if you need further treatment, including surgery. You and your doctor will also decide when to begin physical therapy, if it is needed.

A direct blow to the top of the shoulder or a fall onto the shoulder, such as a fall from a bicycle, can cause a shoulder separation.

A shoulder separation is the partial or complete separation of two parts of the shoulder. It occurs when the outer end of the collarbone (clavicle) separates from the end (acromion) of the shoulder blade because of torn ligaments. There are different types that are classified by severity.