AC joint separation is the condition when your shoulder is separate or dislocated from the rest of the hand due to a direct fall or instant pressure being applied on the shoulder. AC ligament injury and dislocation is quite common in contact sports, especially when it comes to football. The major cause for AC joint separation is a high energy fall or fall from a certain height. Some other common sports or activities that may lead you into this kind of injuries include snowboarding, skiing, work, slipping on ice and sometimes even a vehicular accident may lead to AC joint separation.
There is a difference between AC joint separation and dislocation, and it involves the small joint connecting collar bone and the small bone lying over the ball of the shoulder. The joint is held together with different ligaments and these can be treated with proper rest, ice and anti-inflammatory treatment and other major AC Joint dislocation treatment involves medical procedure and even minor surgeries. The starting stage of any AC joint operation is the proper examination of the joint. It is done with X-Rays and other physical examinations. Most of the surgeons prefer using special X-Rays which are available with or without the weights and these are highly useful in case of borderline cases of AC joint separation. You do not need to undergo for an MRI as it is not much helpful in treating the joint.
If the AC joint separation is of the minor type then the patient is having a minor sprain and the clavicle is not completely out of its place. The best advice is to take as much rest as possible and use of anti-inflammatory medicines or ice packs for relief. It is helpful to do some exercises with the help of your AC joint separation surgeon. But in case there is huge damage to your ligaments with difficulty in any overhead movement, then there are several options available for the repair of the injury. But before that, let us consider some common methods for the indication of such a high scale injury or AC joint separation.
- Loss in overall usage of the injured arm and in some cases, patient may feel pain in any overhead movement.
- The patient may experience shooting pains, nerve symptoms, and numbness during any movement of the hand, it is quite common in treatment of AC joint separation.
- Continuous pain or instability of the collar bone of the shoulder.
- Any type of significant tenting in the skin around the shoulder.
If the patient is feeling immense pain and may find it difficult to do regular routine activities then it is best to consider a surgery for clavicle alignment. Moreover AC joint dislocation treatment is easily available in every city and you can consult a surgeon before undergoing a surgery.
If you are considering surgery for a major case of AC joint separation, then you would be happy to know that most of these surgeries are successful. But one should keep in mind that like every surgery there are some complications involved with AC joint operation as well. It is not advised to undergo surgery in case of any minor issue and it is best to avoid it for the sake of the risks involved in the overall process. One can follow some simple treatments when it comes to minor injuries and the best approach is to go without surgery in case of minor AC joint separation.
The process of repairing of AC joint separation involves reconstruction of the ligament and there is a special incision made just on top of the AC joint separation spot. The procedure involves removing the torn tendons with a tendon graft and some bio compatible screws supported by some heavy duty sutures. The operation involves use of anesthesia so that the patient may not feel any pain during the overall process. The surgery for AC joint separation may result into some short lived pain and you must consider taking some oral medications for quick relief. There will a physical therapy following your AC joint separation surgery and generally begins after 3-4 days of the surgery. It is a kind of shoulder rehabilitation program and make sure to follow it as advised by your therapist. Follow up appointments are very important in an AC joint separation treatment.
Let us discuss some common facts to be considered after undergoing AC joint separation treatment.
Your Diet: You need to follow the diet plan prepared by the doctor during rehabilitation process following your AC joint separation surgery but once you reach home, you can get back to your regular diet. But in case there is an acidic feeling in your stomach, then make sure to consume lots of clear liquids like tums, zantac or similar things.
Pain Control: You will be provided with proper medications for controlling the pain but in case the problem persists beyond control, then it is advised to visit the nearest medical facilities and consult a surgeon for the issue. Further you are advised to use ice packs regularly for the next 24 hours of the AC joint separation surgery.
Dressing: It is important that the dressing should be both clean and remain dry all the time. The dressings can only be removed after 48 hours of the surgery and generally they will be removed in your first appointment with the doctor. You can shower after 48 hours and then dry it off completely and then apply band aids to it.
Proper Dress: It is advised to wear the pillow slings all the time, and wear them for at least next 3 months or so. Try to make movement with your fingers as well as wrist. Generally the AC joint separation surgery is followed by some usual swelling and it may take from 1 week to 3 weeks in disappearing of the swelling. Moreover another benefit of using the sling is that people will be able to see the injury and you will not experience any difficulty even in public places.
Blood Clots: If you are driving in your car or train and even if you are overweight, chances of Blood clots are higher. Anyone with blood clots issue is advised to have aspirin for at least one week until they are allergic to it. It will help in quick healing of your AC joint separation.