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Separated Shoulder
Treatment Options
Prevention
Sports
medicine information on shoulder instability
Treatment
at UPMC
Therapy will depend on the extent of the injury, the cause, and other
factors. Treatment may include:
- rest
Avoid activities that produce pain or stress the joint.
- ice
Ice will help control pain, especially after exercise.
- medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be given to manage
pain. These include:
aspirin
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- rehabilitation
This can last several months and may include:
physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that control the shoulder
joint
specific exercises for certain sports or job activities
learning how to modify activities to prevent re-injury
- surgery
Many different procedures may be used to correct shoulder instability.
The goal is to fix the cause. The doctor may use an arthroscopic or
an open technique. After surgery, the arm is kept from moving for
3-6 weeks, depending upon the procedure.
Prevention
Guidelines to help protect the shoulder from injury include:
- do regular exercise to strengthen the supporting muscles
- use proper athletic training methods
- do not increase exercise duration or intensity more than 10% per
week
- modify activities to prevent external rotation and overhead motions
of the shoulder
Treatment at UPMC
This condition is typically treated by experts specializing in:
Call UPMC at 800-533-UPMC (8762) to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.
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