Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is an AC joint separation?
An AC joint separation, often called a shoulder separation, is a dislocation of the clavicle from the acromion (part of the
scapula, or shoulder blade).
The severity of an acromioclavicular joint injury depends on which supporting structures are damaged, and the extent of
that damage. Tearing of the acromioclavicular ligament alone is not a serious injury, but when the coracoclavicular
ligaments are ruptured; the whole shoulder unit is involved, thus complicating the dislocation.
Simple AC injuries are classified in three grades ranging from a mild dislocation to a complete separation:
• Grade I - A slight displacement of the joint. The acromioclavicular ligament may be stretched or partially torn. This
is the most common type of injury to the AC joint.
• Grade II - A partial dislocation of the joint in which there may be some displacement that may not be obvious
during a physical examination. The acromioclavicular ligament is completely torn, while the coracoclavicular
ligaments remain intact.
• Grade III - A complete separation of the joint. The acromioclavicular ligament, the coracoclavicular ligaments, and
the capsule surrounding the joint are torn. Usually, the displacement is obvious on clinical exam. Without any
ligament support, the shoulder falls under the weight of the arm and the clavicle is pushed up, causing a bump on
the shoulder.
There are a total of six grades of severity of AC separations. Grades I-III are the most common. Grades IV-VI are not very
uncommon and are usually the result of a very high-energy injury such as one that might occur in a motor vehicle
accident. Grades IV-VI are all treated surgically because of the severe disruption of all the ligamentous support for the
arm and shoulder.
Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild tenderness felt over the joint after a ligament sprain to the intense pain of a complete
separation. Grades two and three separations can cause a considerable amount of swelling. Bruising may make the
skin bluish several days after the injury. In grade three separations, you may feel a popping sensation due to shifting of
the loose joint. Grade three separations usually cause a noticeable bump on the shoulder.
Causes
The most common cause of an AC joint separation is falling on the shoulder. As the shoulder strikes the ground, the
force from the fall pushes the scapula down. The collarbone, because it is attached to the rib cage, cannot move
enough to follow the motion of the scapula. Something has to give. The result is that the ligaments around the AC joint
begin to tear, separating (dislocating) the joint. AC joint separations are most common in contact sports, such as
football and hockey.
Western Medicine Treatment
The treatment of an AC separation depends on the grade of the injury. The classification helps the physician choose
the correct treatment approach.
1. Patients with Grades I - III are usually treated non-operatively
2. Patients with grade III AC separations may be candidates for early surgical reconstruction.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the www.steadman-hawkins.com and www.orthogate.org
An AC joint separation, often called a shoulder separation, is a dislocation of the clavicle from the acromion (part of the
scapula, or shoulder blade).
The severity of an acromioclavicular joint injury depends on which supporting structures are damaged, and the extent of
that damage. Tearing of the acromioclavicular ligament alone is not a serious injury, but when the coracoclavicular
ligaments are ruptured; the whole shoulder unit is involved, thus complicating the dislocation.
Simple AC injuries are classified in three grades ranging from a mild dislocation to a complete separation:
• Grade I - A slight displacement of the joint. The acromioclavicular ligament may be stretched or partially torn. This
is the most common type of injury to the AC joint.
• Grade II - A partial dislocation of the joint in which there may be some displacement that may not be obvious
during a physical examination. The acromioclavicular ligament is completely torn, while the coracoclavicular
ligaments remain intact.
• Grade III - A complete separation of the joint. The acromioclavicular ligament, the coracoclavicular ligaments, and
the capsule surrounding the joint are torn. Usually, the displacement is obvious on clinical exam. Without any
ligament support, the shoulder falls under the weight of the arm and the clavicle is pushed up, causing a bump on
the shoulder.
There are a total of six grades of severity of AC separations. Grades I-III are the most common. Grades IV-VI are not very
uncommon and are usually the result of a very high-energy injury such as one that might occur in a motor vehicle
accident. Grades IV-VI are all treated surgically because of the severe disruption of all the ligamentous support for the
arm and shoulder.
Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild tenderness felt over the joint after a ligament sprain to the intense pain of a complete
separation. Grades two and three separations can cause a considerable amount of swelling. Bruising may make the
skin bluish several days after the injury. In grade three separations, you may feel a popping sensation due to shifting of
the loose joint. Grade three separations usually cause a noticeable bump on the shoulder.
Causes
The most common cause of an AC joint separation is falling on the shoulder. As the shoulder strikes the ground, the
force from the fall pushes the scapula down. The collarbone, because it is attached to the rib cage, cannot move
enough to follow the motion of the scapula. Something has to give. The result is that the ligaments around the AC joint
begin to tear, separating (dislocating) the joint. AC joint separations are most common in contact sports, such as
football and hockey.
Western Medicine Treatment
The treatment of an AC separation depends on the grade of the injury. The classification helps the physician choose
the correct treatment approach.
1. Patients with Grades I - III are usually treated non-operatively
- • Ice- to reduce pain and swelling
• Rest- until pain subsides
• Ant-Iinflammatory medications
2. Patients with grade III AC separations may be candidates for early surgical reconstruction.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the www.steadman-hawkins.com and www.orthogate.org
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