Shoulder Separation Injury

Shoulder Separation Injury

An Acromioclavicular joint sprain or 'shoulder separation' is a common cause of shoulder pain. A shoulder separation usually occurs when there is either a fall onto an out stretched hand or direct contact to the tip of the shoulder. This shoulder injury occurs frequently in rugby, Australian Rules and American football.

A shoulder separation produces damage to the Acromioclavicular (AC) joint ligaments, which causes shoulder pain and a restriction of shoulder movement. Ice therapy can be very helpful to provide shoulder pain relief.

Common shoulder separation symptoms:

• Pain at the tip of the shoulder.
• Shoulder movement limited by pain.
• Shoulder stiffness.