| He absorbed a big hit from defensive back Aaron | | | | associated fractures and in grading the severity of the |
| Williams on the same shoulder he injured last year | | | | separation. |
| after a tackle in a game against BYU. He had suffered | | | | The severity of an AC joint injury depends on how |
| a "shoulder separation," or injury to his AC | | | | severely the ligaments and capsule that stabilize this |
| ("acromio-clavicular") joint - a relatively common | | | | joint are damaged. Low grade injuries disrupt the |
| occurrence in football and hockey players. Similar | | | | ligaments connecting the clavicle to the acromion. |
| injuries have recently affected NFL quarterback Eli | | | | "Higher grade" injuries, however, also tear ligaments |
| Manning and Michigan's star freshman quarterback | | | | connecting the clavicle to other portions of the |
| Tate Forcier. | | | | shoulder blade (the "coracoid" process), and are more |
| With "shoulder" or AC separations, the joint between | | | | serious because the render the arm and shoulder |
| the collarbone ("clavicle") and shoulder blade ("scapula") | | | | more unstable. Throwing or overhead athletes may be |
| is injured. The ligaments and capsule connecting the | | | | particularly affected and limited in their sport if these |
| bones can be injured to variable degrees depending | | | | more serious injuries are not treated. |
| upon the severity of the injury. It is commonly caused | | | | In general, most AC injuries can be treated without |
| by a fall directly on the "point" of the shoulder or a | | | | surgery, but it depends on the severity of the injury. |
| direct blow, as occurs during a quarterback sack in | | | | Low grade injuries will typically heal with rest and |
| football or check into the boards with hockey. | | | | rehabilitation, but may be accompanied by the slight |
| Disruption of the AC joint results in significant pain and | | | | cosmetic deformity of a bump at the location of |
| tenderness at the front of the shoulder joint. The pain | | | | separation. Higher grade injuries, however, often do |
| is most severe when an athlete attempts overhead | | | | require surgery to reduce the joint and normalize the |
| movements or throwing, and is even sensitive to the | | | | kinematics between the shoulder and arm - something |
| pressure of protective padding or pressure in the area. | | | | that is particularly important to tennis players, baseball |
| As the AC joint is relatively superficial, separation | | | | pitchers, and quarterbacks. The outcomes are |
| injuries are usually accompanied by a "bump" from the | | | | generally good, and most athletes recover with full |
| prominence of the collarbone at this location, and can | | | | function of the shoulder. It is important, however, to visit |
| be clearly seen as asymmetric from the uninjured side. | | | | your Sports MD shoulder or sports medicine specialist |
| Point tenderness to this location usually confirms the | | | | to seek prompt attention if you may have suffered a |
| diagnosis clinically. Radiographs are helpful in ruling out | | | | shoulder separation. |