Hockey players learn how to skate, stick handle, shoot on net, and the importance of wearing protective equipment, especially a helmet.

Despite the fun of the game, there is a potential risk for injury.

I see quite a few shoulder injuries among hockey players due to the amount of contact, speed, and force a player’s body encounters.  Three of the most common injuries we see include:

A shoulder separation—this occurs at the AC joint where the clavicle and scapula meet.
Another is a clavicle fracture.
The third, less frequent, shoulder injury we see is a shoulder dislocation, where the shoulder comes out of its socket due to excessive force.

Treatment options for nonsurgical shoulder injuries are usually easy to implement. Treatment typically involves immobilization with a sling, ice and pain medications, a course of rest, and certainly doing formal rehab with physical therapy to address pain, strength, and range of motion issues.

If a dislocation has occurred, players may need a shoulder brace to help stabilize the shoulder joint when playing.

However, since most parents and athletes would rather avoid an injury all together, there are several things to ensure safety while playing the game.

Certainly making sure you play fair and avoid cheap shots helps minimize injuries. When you’re going to go into the boards, try and avoid getting your shoulder down too low.

Making sure you have up to date, well- fitting equipment can help dissipate the contact force against other players and the boards. Finally, making sure your shoulder muscles are stabilized and as strong as they can be goes a long way in injury prevention.