Shoulder Injury : A-C Separation

The shoulder is composed of two major bones: the HUMERUS (arm bone) and the SCAPULA (shoulder blade), which provides the joint space for the humerus. The CLAVICLE, or "collar bone", connects to the scapula at the ACROMION (a bony projection off the scapula) and is secured by ligaments. When the ligaments are torn in this area, it will result in acromioclavicular separation (A-C separation). This injury occurs most commonly as the result of a fall onto the shoulder tip. Another injury seen with the same type of fall is the clavicle fracture. It is important to note that the elderly will frequently fracture at the shoulder (humerus), while the younger patient will either sustain an A-C separation, or a clavicle fracture.

Common symptoms in an A-C separation include a "bump" at the top contour of the shoulder that is tender to touch. Patients experience pain in the shoulder, but can still move at the shoulder joint. Pulling downward, on the extended arm causes discomfort. Bone x-rays can rule out a fracture, and special views done while holding weights in the hands, compared to views without weights, will show the separation. An examination for nerve and vascular integrity is always important. Any numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or discoloration of the hand requires prompt evaluation. Associated nerve or blood vessel injury is rare with A-C separation.

Treatment of most A-C separations includes ice packs, extremity elevation, and a shoulder sling. Healing time is 3 to 4 weeks, depending on severity. Some special cases may require surgical repair of the A-C joint. Any patient placed in a sling must start early range of motion exercises for the shoulder to avoid the complication of "frozen shoulder". Acetaminophen, aspirin, or anti-inflammatories (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, ibuprofen) are helpful to reduce pain. Your doctor can provide stronger pain medications if necessary. Average recovery period for this injury is 6 weeks. The orthopaedic surgeon is the expert in the management of this problem.


12 Hip Dislocation
12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness


Become a regular visitor at our "Health Care Blog" - Here are the latest blog entries:


 

Home © health-care-information.org. All rights reserved.

Health Care BLOG || Your Feedback & Suggestions || Health Directory

 

Disclaimer: Health-Care-Information.org is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional medical services. Any medical or other decisions should be made in consultation with your qualified health care provider. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any information on this web site.