AC seperation in shoulder

TallonT911
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TallonT911
Edited Date/Time 11/27/2013 10:12pm
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few weeks and then I'm good to start riding and rehabbing it. Has anyone else had this injury? I looked online and it seemed like everyone else had a much longer recovery time so I was wondering what you guys knew! Thanks!
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HuskyEd
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HuskyEd 11/26/2013 4:02pm
11/26/2013 4:02pm
Sorry to hear.

At first I thought, "here we go, the injuries have already started before SX".
TripleFive 11/26/2013 4:24pm
11/26/2013 4:24pm
Can we still expect to see AC on the gate at the first round?
Saltybrad
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Saltybrad 11/26/2013 4:28pm
11/26/2013 4:28pm
Two months, it will feel different from here out. Mine really hurt
xnationalwrench 11/26/2013 4:29pm
11/26/2013 4:29pm
TallonT911 wrote:
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few...
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few weeks and then I'm good to start riding and rehabbing it. Has anyone else had this injury? I looked online and it seemed like everyone else had a much longer recovery time so I was wondering what you guys knew! Thanks!
You need to contact Chad Reed (he won a Supercross with a stage 3 separation)

The Shop

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Wolfman
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Wolfman 11/26/2013 4:30pm
11/26/2013 4:30pm
I had this injury 20 years ago. Hurts like a mother, but I was back riding in 3 weeks. I crashed and broke my collarbone in the same shoulder @ 3 1/2 weeks. That shit hurt! I was 20 at the time. My shoulder healed up fine with little or no special attention.
Motoxdoc
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Motoxdoc 11/26/2013 4:55pm
11/26/2013 4:55pm
TallonT911 wrote:
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few...
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few weeks and then I'm good to start riding and rehabbing it. Has anyone else had this injury? I looked online and it seemed like everyone else had a much longer recovery time so I was wondering what you guys knew! Thanks!
Get someone who knows what they are doing to tape it! Stanton won a SX championship with a 1 or 2 week old separation of his shoulder.......Don't worry, your aspirations of being a SX Champ aren't over yet.......if they weren't already that is.
vet323
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vet323 11/26/2013 4:57pm
11/26/2013 4:57pm
I had no problem w/my complete separation, except for a big lump. Riding was no problem, but it took a long time for me to be able to play catch with my sons.
mx836
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mx836 11/26/2013 5:01pm
11/26/2013 5:01pm
I injured both of mine over 6 years ago. Do the rehab. I was young and dumb and both of my shoulders are weak as shit to this day.
yzjs7
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yzjs7 11/26/2013 5:29pm
11/26/2013 5:29pm
Welcome to the club. I did mine in February this year. Was off work for three weeks and back riding in 3 months. Could have rode sooner but the old lady wasn't having it. I had a stage 3 as well, rehab it and you'll be fine except for the ugliness of it.
Insider347
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Insider347 11/26/2013 5:42pm
11/26/2013 5:42pm
Yeah, give it a couple weeks and ease back in, you should be fine from any further damage. You will have to live with that big bump, it doesn't go away.

Now if it was a dislocation it's a different story. Not sure what hurt more, the dislocation or putting it back in. I was out for awhile but it was worth it because now it stays in instead of other stories I hear about shoulders coming out over and over again and people popping them back into place on their own.
hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 11/26/2013 5:51pm
11/26/2013 5:51pm
I had the stage 4, which required surgery, plate and screws. Sucked dick, recovery was pretty long and it still sucks some 2 years later. My only advice would be the same as others have said: take it easy and don't rush your recovery. Hope it heals up ok for ya!
fanopj1
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fanopj1 11/26/2013 6:11pm
11/26/2013 6:11pm
Mine was a total separation. Hurt like a bitch. Had surgery to replace torn ligaments. Anchors in collarbone. Was off the bike for 3 months and took a while to feel comfortable. Definitely listen to doctor and do physical therapy. Helped a lot. Good luck healing
Scott167
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Scott167 11/26/2013 6:24pm
11/26/2013 6:24pm
Welcome to the club. I also had a stage 3. Did it 3.5 years back. Was off the bike for about 3 weeks (about 2 weeks before I was supposed to) or so but my shoulder was significantly weak when I started riding again. The doctor I saw kind of said 3-4 weeks and it should be back to normal however when I went to physio the therapist had a much different (and more accurate) opinion of a much longer time to fully heal. Make sure to do proper rehab. If you can try and see a physiotherapist, my physiotherapist was extremely helpful in rehabbing my shoulder. It probably took about 3-5 months or so to finally get back to 100%. Luckily for me I did it on my non dominant arm and still have/always will have the bump on the shoulder.

I'm sure you've looked already but the Wikipedia page on separated shoulder has some good info. Good luck on your recovery Smile
RingingItOut69 11/26/2013 6:30pm
11/26/2013 6:30pm
Invest in one of these for when you first come back, couldn't even tell it was on when I used it.
Spartacus
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Spartacus 11/26/2013 6:35pm
11/26/2013 6:35pm
I, II II,IV…..wow. Back when I was tearing apart my shoulders they just put it back in and you hopped adhesions and scar tissue would keep it from happening again. "Rehab" was hanging from an overhead bar and gritting your teeth.

I haven't be able to throw a ball overhand since 1977.

Medicine today appears to have advanced. Who knew…...
hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 11/26/2013 6:54pm
11/26/2013 6:54pm
Spartacus wrote:
I, II II,IV…..wow. Back when I was tearing apart my shoulders they just put it back in and you hopped adhesions and scar tissue would keep...
I, II II,IV…..wow. Back when I was tearing apart my shoulders they just put it back in and you hopped adhesions and scar tissue would keep it from happening again. "Rehab" was hanging from an overhead bar and gritting your teeth.

I haven't be able to throw a ball overhand since 1977.

Medicine today appears to have advanced. Who knew…...
Probably important to differentiate between a shoulder separation and a shoulder dislocation
braap981
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braap981 11/26/2013 8:21pm
11/26/2013 8:21pm Edited Date/Time 11/26/2013 8:28pm
I had this injury last year i've done it to both of my shoulders, but i had stage 3 in my left, i was back riding in 3 days with my stage 2 in my right shoulder which was done two years ago, and I was back riding last year in a week with my stage 3 separation, its all on how much pain ya feel and how much your shoulder moves i was also going through physical therapy every day and stuff which helped alot but it's probably a good idea to fallow doctor orders haha for long term effects my shoulders still give me hell to this day
Radical
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Radical 11/27/2013 4:10am
11/27/2013 4:10am
TallonT911 wrote:
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few...
Just separated my AC joint in my shoulder.. The doc said it was a stage 3 separation and said to let it heal for a few weeks and then I'm good to start riding and rehabbing it. Has anyone else had this injury? I looked online and it seemed like everyone else had a much longer recovery time so I was wondering what you guys knew! Thanks!
Motoxdoc wrote:
Get someone who knows what they are doing to tape it! Stanton won a SX championship with a 1 or 2 week old separation of his...
Get someone who knows what they are doing to tape it! Stanton won a SX championship with a 1 or 2 week old separation of his shoulder.......Don't worry, your aspirations of being a SX Champ aren't over yet.......if they weren't already that is.
I separated my AC joint in 1998. It was pretty bad. When I went for a followup after 5 days, the doctor told me that if I had held the bump down (compression), that once it healed up, the bump would be minimal. Why didn't they tell me this at the emergency room?

So, 5 days in, I made a decision, and I'm glad I did.

It hurt like hell to do this after 5 days, but it worked.

I bought a back brace, the kind workers wear at Home Depot, etc... that are basically a kidney belt with 2 straps that go over your shoulders.

I took a long strip of medical tape and made a pad to go over the bump, then put on the belt, and strapped BOTH shoulder straps over the pad, over the bump, and tightened the straps just enough to hold the clavicle where it belongs. It hurt a bit while the bump was going down, but once it was in place, it wasn't painful. When you're laying down is when you'll know how much to tighten it. That's when the bump wants to come back.

After 2 days, I could take the straps off, and the bump would stay down for several hours.
I made the mistake of loosening the straps too much, too soon (after 2 days), and the bump raised a bit. W/hen I went to sleep, I left the straps too loose. In the morning, the bump had raised a bit.

If I had to do it over again, I would keep the bump strapped down for 1-2 weeks.
I'd also do it right away. Until there's scar tissue to deal with, the bump would've gone right down, easily, and allowed the tendons and ligaments to not be stretched as far. I'm not a doctor, but I am an engineer, and I believe holding the bump down, and taking the pressure off the damaged tendons/ligaments allowed them to heal quicker/better.

Regardless, today I have almost no bump. I believe I'm the only one who's had a bad separation, and doesn't have a bump without surgery.

BTW: If it was a bad separation, it'll take some time to heal. Be patient.

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IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 11/27/2013 4:37am
11/27/2013 4:37am
Insider347 wrote:
Yeah, give it a couple weeks and ease back in, you should be fine from any further damage. You will have to live with that big...
Yeah, give it a couple weeks and ease back in, you should be fine from any further damage. You will have to live with that big bump, it doesn't go away.

Now if it was a dislocation it's a different story. Not sure what hurt more, the dislocation or putting it back in. I was out for awhile but it was worth it because now it stays in instead of other stories I hear about shoulders coming out over and over again and people popping them back into place on their own.
I saw a guy at the local track do this and I thought we needed an ambulance. He didn't even wreck and rode up with the look of pain all over his place. Next thing I know, he just flung his arm in an odd manner and then told me what happened. MX dudes are just a different breed. . .
motomike137
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motomike137 11/27/2013 4:53am
11/27/2013 4:53am
Here is some good info... http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00033

I did a degree 3 to my left shoulder about 15 years back and found that recovery time was all about giving the pain a little time to subside and then slowly starting to use the shoulder again and push through the initial pain.
Jroc
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Jroc 11/27/2013 5:21am
11/27/2013 5:21am
I had a 3rd degree separation last year. Was riding after 4 weeks but took it easy as it was still pretty tender. 2 months before I was at 90% (it will never be 100%)
codyc24
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codyc24 11/27/2013 5:30am
11/27/2013 5:30am
I am currently getting over a broken scapula (shoulder blade). All I have to say is dont ever do this! Its been right at 9 weeks and I only have up to 50% movement back in my arm with doing rehab. No surgery was needed for me but on a daily my shoulder just sits here and throbs.
huck
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huck 11/27/2013 5:41am
11/27/2013 5:41am
I had/have a stage 3. One doctor wanted to do surgery, and another said let it heal and see how it goes. (the second was the former team knee and joint doctor for the patriots and current one for the razorbacks)

It took a good around a month or more before I felt 'good'. Still gives me a little trouble, if I'm doing a lot of overhead work....
Outsider
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Outsider 11/27/2013 5:48am
11/27/2013 5:48am
Welcome to the bump club!
Mr. Ted
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Mr. Ted 11/27/2013 6:39am
11/27/2013 6:39am
Had a stage 2 and was about 6 weeks of recovery. Make sure you support it and do the rehab.
tvo314
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tvo314 11/27/2013 6:57am
11/27/2013 6:57am
Happened to me a few years ago and still have a freaky bump to show for it. The doctor said he could operate, but it would only be for cosmetic reasons, so I kindly declined. I'm very happy I let it heal on it's own. After a few months it was back to 90% or so. I still sometimes feel some clicking when doing pushups and backpack straps don't stay on my shoulder very well anymore.

My loose shoulder joints that used to constantly pop in and out, that was the real bitch!
Spartacus
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Spartacus 11/27/2013 7:00am
11/27/2013 7:00am
Spartacus wrote:
I, II II,IV…..wow. Back when I was tearing apart my shoulders they just put it back in and you hopped adhesions and scar tissue would keep...
I, II II,IV…..wow. Back when I was tearing apart my shoulders they just put it back in and you hopped adhesions and scar tissue would keep it from happening again. "Rehab" was hanging from an overhead bar and gritting your teeth.

I haven't be able to throw a ball overhand since 1977.

Medicine today appears to have advanced. Who knew…...
hvaughn88 wrote:
Probably important to differentiate between a shoulder separation and a shoulder dislocation
I don't even count the separations.
seth505
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seth505 11/27/2013 7:02am
11/27/2013 7:02am Edited Date/Time 11/27/2013 7:04am
I was out about 3 months. My clavicle still sticks out and my shoulder sits lower.

At the time, the doc said I could choose surgery or not and I didn't do surgery. He suggested just letting it heal and they would both be about the same recovery time anyway. Went through tons of PT
LocDawg
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LocDawg 11/27/2013 7:05am
11/27/2013 7:05am
anyone who rides with an injury and isnt getting paid (to ride) is dumb

take some time off and let the thing heal properly!!
Scott167
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Scott167 11/27/2013 7:31am
11/27/2013 7:31am
huck wrote:
I had/have a stage 3. One doctor wanted to do surgery, and another said let it heal and see how it goes. (the second was the...
I had/have a stage 3. One doctor wanted to do surgery, and another said let it heal and see how it goes. (the second was the former team knee and joint doctor for the patriots and current one for the razorbacks)

It took a good around a month or more before I felt 'good'. Still gives me a little trouble, if I'm doing a lot of overhead work....
ya that's the problem with a grade 3. its borderline for surgery and some docs like to operate and others don't. I was told by a physiotherapist if it is not giving you significant pain or really limiting your ROM then they wouldn't recommend surgery and just live with the bump.

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