A separated and dislocated shoulder are similar in a number of different ways, and some people assume that they are different terms to describe the same condition. This isn’t the case, and a shoulder separation is a completely different injury than a shoulder dislocation, and treatment too will vary. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the mechanism of injury in a shoulder separation and dislocation, and we talk about the treatment options for both injuries.
Shoulder Separation And Dislocation
While the term dislocation means that the shoulder is separated from its correct location, the two terms do not describe the same injury. Here’s a closer look at each:
- Shoulder Separation – A shoulder separation involves an injury to the ligament between the shoulder blade and your collarbone. Shoulder separations are graded based on the severity of the injury and the position of the displaced bone, which is why you’ll often hear professional athletes diagnosed with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 shoulder separation.
In the majority of cases, shoulder separations can be treated using a variety of conservative methods, including but not limited to rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and range of motion exercises. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
- Shoulder Dislocation – A shoulder dislocation occurs when the top of your arm bone loses contact with the socket of your shoulder blade. You’ll need to have your shoulder reset to its normal position following a dislocation. Sometimes this can be performed by a trained medical professional on the scene, otherwise it can be repositioned by a doctor at an emergency department. Having a trained professional reset the dislocation is important to avoid further damage to the soft tissues in the shoulder.
Because these soft tissues that help to hold the bone in the socket have been damaged during the dislocation, treatment will be focused on restrengthening these structures so that they can provide adequate stability to the shoulder joint. Rest, physical therapy, controlled exercise and manual therapy can all help to strengthen these tissues, but surgery may also be required.
As you might imagine, both of these injuries present with localized pain, but symptoms also tend to vary a bit. In patients with shoulder separations, they may have a noticeable bump over the injury site and swelling and bruising in the shoulder area. In patients with dislocations, their arm may appear to be hanging lower than the other, oftentimes slightly away from the body with the arm turned outward.
Both injuries respond very well to surgery, but doctors typically view surgery as a last resort. Because all surgeries carry risks and separations and dislocations can make significant recoveries through a conservative care routine, many specialists are reluctant to jump into surgery until they see how the shoulder responds to non-operative management. After either procedure, patients will progress through a rehabilitation program that involves many of the same techniques used in conservative management, which involves rest, gradual physical therapy progression and range of motion exercises.
If you’ve suffered a shoulder injury and are wondering if the shoulder is separated, dislocated or plagued by something else, reach out to an emergency department or a shoulder specialist for care. In the greater Knoxville area, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
