A shoulder separation injury involves a disruption of the acromioclavicular, AC, joint. This joint is composed of the collar bone, or clavicle, and the highest portion of the shoulder blade, the acromion of the scapula. These two bones meet on top of the shoulder and form the acromioclavicular joint as mentioned above.
The most common cause of shoulder separation, or AC joint disruption, is a direct fall onto the shoulder. This fall injures the tendons that provide stability to the joint. The laxity that results allows a degree of separation between the acromion and clavicular bones. The degree of separation can range from mild to severe with a noticeable deformity.
Treatment of this condition can vary from conservative management with a period of immobility followed by gentle shoulder strengthening, to surgery.
