You’ve just come off the field after a crunching tackle or a hard landing on your side. Your shoulder’s sore—maybe it feels like it’s “sticking up” a bit, or it hurts when you reach across your body. You’re thinking, “It’s probably just a bruise. I’ll strap it, chuck some ice on it, and I’ll be right by next week.”
But here’s the thing: that “knock” might not be just a knock.
One of the most common (and commonly overlooked) shoulder injuries in contact sports, such as AFL and rugby, is an acromioclavicular (AC) joint sprain. You might know it as a “shoulder separation.” And if it’s not picked up early - or if you keep playing through it - you could be setting yourself up for weeks of shoulder pain, poor performance or even long-term damage.
What is the AC Joint?
What Actually Happens When You Hurt Your Shoulder in a Tackle?
In most cases, the injury happens when you fall directly onto your shoulder, get driven into the ground in a tackle, or take a hit while your arm is pinned.
The force drives the shoulder blade down while the collarbone stays put, and that tears or stretches the ligaments that hold your AC joint together. Depending on how severe the damage is, the joint may still be mostly intact (a mild sprain), or it may separate enough that you get a visible bump on top of your shoulder (a moderate to severe injury).
Common Signs You May Have an AC Joint Sprain:
- Pain when reaching across your body (like putting on a seatbelt or grabbing your footy bag)
- Discomfort lying on the injured side at night
- Swelling and possibly bruising
- A visible bump on top of your shoulder
- Weakness or instability when trying to tackle, handball, or lift overhead
- Feeling like your shoulder “drops” or doesn’t feel supported
If you're nodding along to any of these, it’s worth getting checked out - even if you think you can push through.
Why It Matters:
No one wants to miss games. But playing through a shoulder injury can lead to:
- Ongoing inflammation and pain
- Compensations that affect your passing, tackling and confidence
- Long-term issues like arthritis or joint instability
- Missing more games in the long run because the injury drags on
Bottom Line: Don't Shrug It Off!
If you’ve had a solid knock and your shoulder isn’t feeling quite right - don’t just ice it and hope for the best. The earlier you get it looked at, the faster (and more confidently) you can get back on the field.
Your body is your biggest asset in sport. Treat it like one.
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