3 Degree Separated AC (shoulder)

[dimi]

Well I had a brutal fall off a rail yesterday while snowboarding and separated my AC. Doctor said its 3 degree and its sticking out quite a bit now. I guess my question is whether this will heal completely or if it is going to affect my shoulder movement from now on. I'll be wearing a sling for 2 months or so. As well, how much does your collar bone stick out when fully healed. Any tips on speeding up the recovery stage? Is physio necessary in this case? Thanks!

[Dumbass17]

did you dislocate it or just tear it?

i did both to one shoulder, back in august 2007 and my shoulder still acts up and hurts after about 8 months of physio

shitty luck dude

[dimi]

Separated only. Lets hope I fare better than yourself. How long did you wear a sling for?

[94CoRd]

Your collar bone shouldn't be affected very much when all the healing is said and done. The best advice I can give you, is let it heal. I've separated my AC joint several times each through hockey, snowboarding etc. and every time after the first separations I just came back to my sport to early. The muscles around the joints just weren't strong enough and would lead to my next separation. They are nice and creaky now, with the occasional painful click. But just let it heal and everything should be legit!

[Dumbass17]

Originally posted by dimi
Separated only. Lets hope I fare better than yourself. How long did you wear a sling for?

about 3 weeks i think
but i was also popping T3's like a mofo

[dimi]

Originally posted by Dumbass17

about 3 weeks i think
but i was also popping T3's like a mofo

Yea dude I can barely stand the pain, especially when falling asleep. Taking a shower sucks too.

[Dumbass17]

Originally posted by dimi


Yea dude I can barely stand the pain, especially when falling asleep. Taking a shower sucks too.

i feel you dude
i had to adjust my sleeping position since the accident. i used to sleep with my left (injured side) arm up and under my pillow while on my stomach, but now i can't do that. i have to have it down by my side and i hate it, it's not comfortable at all.
fuck dude, when i got hurt, i couldn't sleep for more than maybe 2 hours a night for a few weeks. just steady, crazy pain.

[atgilchrist]

I did that about 3 months ago, but it seems almost back to normal. My one shoulder still has the massive bump, but I can throw a ball / do push-ups, etc pain-free, so hopefully you'll be ok.

[dimi]

Yea it's been a week and I definitely feel much better. I stopped the T3s 4 days ago and I am not in much pain at all. In fact I take the sling off for most of the day while typing, writing and when I have adequate support under my elbow. I am actually surprised at how fast this is healing. From what I have heard from friends and doctors the more serious side to this injury is when you dislocate as well as separate the shoulder. Oh well fingers crossed I have my full range of motion back.

[canadiandaytona]

I got a type 3 AC dislocation last year also on a rail.
Type III's do not heal all three ligaments are fully torn and will not reattach.
you should not be in a sling and it will make the muscle that is holding you shoulder to your body weaker.

Go see a Sport med doctor..you Doc obviously doesn't know what hes doing, just like mine last year.

Mine looks gross but doesn't effect life much..even my bench press strength is back to where it was before

[Dumbass17]

i was working out at brooks today and holy hell, the little bit of cold made my shoulder act up

[dimi]

UPDATE:

Took off my sling on my 7th day as I no longer felt it was needed. Now I am at 2.5 weeks and I have almost 100% of my movement back, albeit without much strength. My arm is almost fully functional again. Physio woman said scar tissue is formed well, and in 4 weeks I should have most of my strength back too. Now I have to maintain proper posture which is hard as I am used to slouching, but I guess this will force me into it.

So glad I took the sling off...thanks daytona. Did some research after that and a lot of athletes who get this injury don't even wear a sling. Even after 7 days my right arm was so weak, I cannot imagine the problems if I kept it for 3-4 weeks as ALL of the doctors I have seen recommended. I would also recommend a lot of sleep.

To sum up, I was so depressed the few days thinking I had fucked up my life as my dominant arm would never be the same. Of course there are some long term consequences but its not as bad as I thought initially.

[bsawchuk]

The most important thing is not to go back to using it full for a long time. Lots of athletes have this issue of going back too early after they think its healed and re-injuring it. (have done that myself actually). Biggest thing is just let it heal and you might even have to stretch it out before doing sports(throwing a ball etc)

[gretz]

I bailed riding park on my bike a few years back and got the third degree. It stays out all of the time and decides where it wants to go in its own way. Surprisingly enough like most said, it won't limit you if it 'likes' where it is.

It still hurts occasionally in the cold or if you sleep on it wrong.

You'll be fine, light exercising when you can

it sucks not being able to lift your elbow of your side (initially)

[Dumbass17]

son of a ....
mine's been acting up alot lately
like trying to stretch or flex or evne put on my seatbelt

[hassanc21]

If you do go back to any physical activity, ask your physiotherapist about a brace called a Sully brace. Some guys I played football with at college had shoulder issues and were given these to wear.
They do limit your ROM a bit but they hold the joint tightly. The biggest issue with an AC separation is the loss of strength/elasticity of the ligaments in the joint. As a result, the joint slides in and out with less pressure than before.

If you can, do the physiotherapy, it will not only help the healing go faster, they will make sure its healing the way it's supposed to be. There's nothing worse than letting an injury heal improperly. It will nag you in years to come.

My chiropractor has a sign in his office that reads, "If you don't have time for your health today, you won't have health for your time tomorrow."

[syscal]

Separated my AC last week, stage 3-4, and the Doc confirmed today they don't operated on these anymore.

I had the sling on for a few days but taped my shoulder with KT Tape instead. Off pain killers already, not feeling pain unless I do something stupid or lift my arm too high. When it first happened I thought I'd be in pain a lot longer than this.

Doc said 6-8 weeks I could go back into jitsu and feel out for myself what I can and cannot handle and within a year I should be pain free.

Haven't been to chiro yet, not sure if I'll bother.

Wondering, 5 years later, how everything worked out for the OP and others in the thread?

[Cos]

.

[dimi]

Light exercise and consistent stretching will have to become part of your daily routine or it'll crack and pop at first. After a while you get used to having to stretch it and it becomes a non-issue.

I am very active and into lots of sports/activities and it's had a pretty negligible impact on me. The only time I really feel it is when I "re-separate" it again meaning i tear some of the scar tissue around the shoulder. Uncomfortable for a day then its back to normal.

It really isn't a big deal. Funny looking back 5 years.

[syscal]

Thanks guys. Freaked me out at first but then I met so many people with the same injury from so many sports I figure I'll go back to jitsu in January and ease into it a bit.

Amazing how day 1 and 2 it feels like your arm will fall off and a week later it's just uncomfortable (though loads of pain if I do something stupid).