Shoulder Sprain
What happens is that the ligaments that connect the collarbone to the shoulder blade are torn, partially torn or stretched.Cause
Injury to the shoulder is a sudden hard blow from, for example, diving for a ball or falling on the shoulder in gymnastics.
Symptoms
There is pain over the injury and also along the outer edge of the collarbone. You can see slight distortion along the collarbone.
Treatment and recovery
Immediately after injury immobilize the arm, supporting it in a sling close to the body. Apply ice to the injured area to relieve pain and reduce swelling, Place a thin towel between ice and skin to prevent ice burn.
Don't be tempted to return to your sport too early and avoid any painful movements.
Exercises
- When the shoulder is free of pain gentle exercises can be done.
- The movements will be within a very small range, but may be the only type of strengthening exercise that can be done without pain and should be started as soon as possible to promote the most useful healing.
- Stand with your injured arm by your side and with you other hand hold your injured arm between you elbow and shoulder and push you injured arm forward holding the injured arm steady with your hand. Hold for a count of ten.
- Repeat this exercise but this time push your injured arm backwards.
- Same again but this time push your injured arm outwards.
- Stand with your legs slightly apart, put your arms at your side and raise them to shoulder height. Hold for a count of ten and repeat.
- Standing with your legs slightly apart, hold both arms out in front of you, raise them and touch your hands above your head.
- These last two exercises can then be repeated using light weights.
Prevention
Make sure that you are fully fit and that your shoulder has full strength and flexibility before resuming your sport. Always warm up before you play as this brings blood and oxygen to the working parts and lubricates the joints. Stretch your muscles also and make this part of your sport as this will help reduce the risk of further injury, as once you have had an injury the risk of further injury is higher. It is a small price to pay to reduce further injury.