Three bones form the shoulder joint: clavicle, scapula, and humerus. A shoulder separation is a tear in the ligaments holding the scapula and clavicle together.

A shoulder separation happens most often in slip and fall cases, but they can occur in car accidents and truck accidents from bracing against the dash or being forced against the door. Shoulder separations are rated 1, 2, or 3, depending on the distance between the scapula and the clavicle.

• A grade 1 shoulder separation has tenderness but no actual separation. It involves a sprain of the acromioclavicular (AC) ligament, without displacing the clavicle. The shoulder will look normal on an X-ray.
• A grade 2 shoulder separation has slight separation of the clavicle from the scapula. The AC ligament will be torn and the coracoclavicular (CC) ligament may sustain minor tears.
• A grade 3 shoulder separation is when the AC joint is noticeably out of position. The AC and CC ligaments sustain complete tears.

Treatment of Separated Shoulder

The first treatment recommended is immobilization until the pain dissipates. Simple separations do well if the ligaments are not extensively damaged. More serious ligament damage may require surgery. Sometimes surgery is delayed to see if the shoulder will heal and regain full function without surgery.Whether the shoulder separation is treated conservatively or with surgery, the shoulder will require physical therapy to restore range of motion and rebuild strength and flexibility.

Minnesota Shoulder Separation Attorney

Our personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis, MN are gifted litigators with extensive medical knowledge and persuasive delivery. We will handle all of the paperwork, negotiate with the insurance company, and file your claim, if necessary. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free contact form.