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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Shoulder Separation Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • The injury was caused by a severe blow.
  • The person's pulse is weak.

1. Get Medical Help Immediately

  • See a doctor or go to a hospital emergency room.

 

2. Immobilize Shoulder

  • Place person's forearm at right angle to chest.
  • Apply sling and tie it around neck.
  • To bind arm to body, wrap a towel around chest and arm and tie it under opposite arm.

 

3. Control Pain and Swelling

  • Apply ice for 20 minutes. Remove to rewarm skin and reapply.
  • Give pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and swelling.

 

4. Follow Up

  • See a doctor if joint pain or swelling continues after 2 or 3 days.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 27, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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