Examining the Medical Risk, and Rehab, of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's Injured Shoulder

SB Nation's Behind the Steel Curtain—January 14, 2016

Jeff Hartman from SB Nation's Behind the Steel Curtain interviews David A. Wang, MD, a primary care sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery, who comments on the Pittsburgh Steeler's quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who recently experienced a sprained AC joint.

Question: Ben Roethlisberger reportedly has a sprained AC joint, or a slight separation. In just a week's time, how much healing can actually be done to improve the performance at a position like QB?

Answer: A sprained AC joint, or "shoulder separation" can be graded from 1-6 depending on the severity of the injury. This ranges from a stretching of the ligaments at the AC joint to complete tears leading to damage of the surrounding shoulder structures. Depending on the grade of the injury (and as I am not treating the athlete, I am not aware of the extent of his injury), if there has been a high degree of ligament damage, the actual healing of the ligament will take much longer to heal. However, in a week's time, treatment can be done to address the acute inflammation, pain, and swelling that develop from the injury, which can allow better performance.

To read the full Q&A interview, visit BehindtheSteelCurtain.com.