A shoulder separation is often confused with a shoulder dislocation.
A shoulder separation is technically an injury to the acromioclavicular joint. This joint is located at the top of the shoulder just under the skin and is often a visible bump in thin individuals. A shoulder separation or AC injury occurs as a result of a direct blow to the top of the shoulder such as might be experienced by an athlete during a shoulder tackle in football or a fall onto the top of the shoulder. The ligaments that support the AC joint may be sprained or completely torn resulting in varying degrees of pain and disability. Continue reading