Educational video describing the difference between shoulder separation and shoulder dislocation.
Shoulder separation is different from shoulder dislocation. Shoulder separation is an AC joint injury.
Shoulder separation occurs due to tear of the ligaments that holds the clavicle to the shoulder. Two groups of ligaments holds the clavicle in place:
1Acromioclavicular
2Coracoclavicular
Injury to the AC joint can vary in severity. Injury can either be :
1Sprain
2Partial tear
3Complete tear
Shoulder dislocation is dislocation of the glenohumeral joint due to tear of the capsule and labrum. Anterior/inferior labral tear associated with anterior dislocation of the shoulder. This is a classic case of shoulder separation with complete tear of the ligaments.
Treatment is controversial. It is usually conservative. Consider surgery especially in athletes.