How long does it take for an AC shoulder separation to heal?
How long does it take for a shoulder separation to heal? Depending on how severe the injury is, it may heal adequately in two to three weeks. In severe cases, the shoulder may not heal without surgery.
How do you treat an AC joint in the shoulder?
What is the treatment for AC joint separation? These can be very painful injuries and the initial treatment is to decrease the pain. This is best accomplished by immobilizing the arm in a sling, placing an ice pack to the shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes as often as every two hours and using pain medication.
How long does it take to recover from AC joint surgery?
The recovery time varies from patient to patient, but full recovery typically occurs within 6-12 weeks. A return to contact sports may require more recovery time to reduce the risk of re-injury. Some degree of protrusion at the AC joint often remains but does not require surgery.
What is shoulder separation the AC joint?
What is shoulder separation? A shoulder separation injury occurs when trauma damages the ligaments around the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. It’s where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the shoulder blade (scapula). If the injury is severe, part of the shoulder blade may separate from the collarbone.
Can you fully recover from an AC joint separation?
Most patients with AC joint injuries will start to feel better within a few days or a week of the injury—but it can take at least six weeks for the AC ligaments to fully heal. During that time, it’s crucial to take the pressure off of the AC joint to protect from overstretching the immature scar tissue.
Can shoulder separation heal itself?
A minor separation usually heals within a few weeks. A more severe separation might take several weeks to months to heal. You might always have a noticeable bump on the affected shoulder, but it shouldn’t affect your ability to use that shoulder.
What is the treatment for AC separation?
In mild AC separations, the injury may be treated by conservative measures such as rest, sling use and a short physical therapy rehabilitation program. If there is continued pain and limited function of the AC joint because the AC separation is not healing, or an uncomfortable amount of pain associated…
What are symptoms of AC separation?
The symptoms of an AC separation vary, according to the severity of the condition. Symptoms can include: Pain at the top of the shoulder, especially when moving the arm overhead, or while sleeping on the injured shoulder. The appearance of a bump on top of the shoulder blade. Weakness or instability in the arm or shoulder.
How do you repair an AC joint?
The AC joint will be repaired by making an incision across the top of the shoulder. Dr. Gillespie uses tissue and large suture to stabilize the joint. If the injury is old, reconstructing the ligaments that attach to the underside of the collarbone may be done.
What are symptoms of a separated shoulder?
Signs and symptoms of a separated shoulder might include: Shoulder pain. Shoulder or arm weakness. Shoulder bruising or swelling. Limited shoulder movement.