Physiotherapy Sport Injuries Separated Shoulder

A Physio Approach to the Separated Shoulder
By: Cheryl Cooper PT, BScPT

The last thing that a hockey player wants is to miss time on the ice.
One of the most common injuries incurred in contact hockey is a
separated shoulder. The acromioclavicular (ac) joint is the connection
where the shoulder blade and collarbone meet at the point of the shoulder.

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In hockey, the ac joint is most commonly injured when a player
is checked into the boards with a dropped shoulder. The tip of the
shoulder is forced down by the impact with the boards, the collarbone
stays up, tearing one or all of the ligaments joining the two bones.

There are varying degrees of separation from grade one to three.

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The injury is diagnosed with tenderness, swelling and deformity over the
ac joint. There will also be limited range of motion of the shoulder.
X-rays may be taken to determine the degree of separation.

In the first 24-48 hours most ac joint separations are treated
conservatively with rest in a sling, and ice and ibuprofen to control
inflammation. The athlete should be assessed by a sports medicine
physician or physiotherapist.

Rehabilitation with a physiotherapist may start within two days
of the injury. The physio program may include ice, range of
motion exercises, strengthening, modalities such as ultrasound
and interferential current, and hockey specific retraining.

Depending on the degree of separation the hockey player may
return to the ice within 1-6 weeks post injury.

For further information on this or other injuries please contact:

Cheryl A. Cooper, PT, BScPT
Cooper Physiotherapy Professional Corporation
Box 329, 3198 Logan Farm Drive
Osgoode, Ontario, K0A 2W0
613-826-1662 phone
613-826-1663 fax
physcoop@istar.ca

About Cheryl:
Cheryl A. Cooper PT, BScPT, is a registered physiotherapist who received
her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto
in 1993. Cheryl worked at Carleton University’s Sports Therapy Clinic prior to
opening Cooper Physiotherapy in October 1996. A sixth generation native of
Metcalfe, Cheryl lives with her husband Hugh McEwen, daughter Kate and
son Stuart on Heather Crest Dairy Farm.

Cheryl was a Nominee for the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA 2005
Women of Distinction Awards in the Community Entrepreneurial Spirit Category.

Cheryl is a certified Level 3 (Intermediate) Hockey Coach. She has been behind
the bench for Novice to Bantam teams in Metcalfe/District Hockey Associations
and has coached Ladies Hockey in Winchester. She also plays twice a week

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