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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffOften, a separated shoulder can be identified during a physical exam. Your doctor may use an X-ray of the shoulder or other imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the injury.
A separated shoulder is graded depending on how far your collarbone is separated from your shoulder:
- Type I. You may have discomfort but not actual separation.
- Type II. There's a slight separation.
- Type III. Both the AC ligament and nearby coracoclavicular ligaments are completely torn.
- Types IV, V and VI. These are the most severe tears. They involve displacement or fracture of the collarbone and often require surgery.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Shoulder separation. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00033. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Shoulder problems. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Shoulder_Problems/shoulder_problems_ff.asp. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
- Koehler SM. Acromioclavicular injuries. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
- McMahon PJ, et al. Sports medicine. In: Skinner HB. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2319233. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
- Raukar NP, et al. Extremity trauma. In: Knoop KJ, et al. The Atlas of Emergency Medicine. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=6002779. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
- Provencher MT, et al. Injuries to the acromioclavicular joint in adults and children. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..X0001-2--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Jan. 6, 2011.
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