Shoulder Separation

A shoulder separation is a tear in the ligament that holds your collar bone (also called clavicle) to your shoulder blade (at the acromion).

Ligaments are short, tough bands of tissue that hold your bones together at a joint.

• Your ligament may be partially or completely torn

• Shoulder separations are common, especially among people who play sports

• Your shoulder will be painful and tender

• You may need a sling or, if the injury is severe, surgery

Anatomy of a Shoulder Joint

A shoulder separation is usually caused by falling on your shoulder or outstretched arm. It's a common injury for people who do high-speed or contact sports, such as:

• Rugby

• Football

• Skiing

• Jet-skiing

Your shoulder joint is:

• Painful

• Tender

Your doctor will do:

• X-rays

Treatment depends on how bad your shoulder separation is.

For a mild shoulder separation, doctors will:

• Have you wear a sling to rest your shoulder

• Have you do exercises to keep your joint working

For a severe shoulder separation, doctors will:

• Do surgery on your shoulder