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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffMost people fully recover from a separated shoulder with conservative treatment. Continued shoulder pain is possible, however, if:
- You have a severe separation that involves significant displacement of the collarbone
- You develop arthritis in your shoulder
- Other structures around your shoulder, such as the rotator cuff, are damaged
Preparing for your appointment
You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, if your separated shoulder is severe, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in bones and joints.
Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to come prepared for your appointment. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing and any questions you want to ask your doctor.
Your doctor will have questions for you, too. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- How severe is your shoulder pain?
- When did your shoulder pain begin?
- Do you know what triggered your symptoms? For instance, have you experienced a fall or participated in contact sports recently?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your pain?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your pain?
What you can do in the meantime
Apply ice to the affected shoulder to reduce pain and swelling. If you're in pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Shoulder separation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00033. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Shoulder problems. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/518.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- Koehler SM. Acromioclavicular joint injury (shoulder separation). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2008.
- McMahon PJ, et al. Sports Medicine: Acromioclavicular joint injury. In: Skinner HB. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics. 4th ed. The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2319233. Accessed Jan. 12, 2009.
- Gutman D, et al. Extremity Trauma: Acromioclavicular Joint Separation. In: Knoop KJ, et al. Atlas of Emergency Medicine. 2nd ed. The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2002. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=784421&searchStr=dislocation+of+acromioclavicular+joint. Accessed Jan. 12, 2009.
