Shoulder Separation

My mom went to see her doctor and was told she has a shoulder separation. It is also called acromioclavicular joint separation, or AC separation. This can happen after a a fall on to an outstretched hand (commonly seen after falling off a bicycle or horse). My mom started to learn about this condition after she was diagnosed.

The standard treatments include ice, rest the arm (use of sling), and anti-inflammatory/analgesic. My mom did 2 out of 3 treatments right. She applied ice and she took anti-inflammatory. The use of sling would have helped her in reducing the amount of pain and discomfort she experienced last week. Also, she should not have used the arm to carry groceries and heavy stuff. I am not helping her either. I have made her cry out with pain many times when I suddenly grab her sore hand, or pull on her sore arm. My mom is right-handed, so she generally sits on my right side to make it easier for her to help me. Now, she has to constantly remind herself not to sit on my right side, as this will put her left arm at risk for being grabbed or pulled. My mom has been on the alert, and yet it is impossible to completely avoid being grabbed by me. I can suddenly reach out and yank her arm without any warning sign.

What my mom needs is some good rest. She has been sleeping poorly since the injury. Now that the pain is not as acute, hopefully she can sleep better.