Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)

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2009-12-11 3:45 PM

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Subject: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
hello, well i was riding my bike yesterday and was ut of the saddle accelerating out of a turn and suddenly my left foot comes out of the cleat. suddenly i fly over handlebars landing on my shoulder fair and square. Needless to say it hurt, but nothing special, just a usual painful cycle crash.

I sat by the side of the road, going wow, that hurt. But then I realised that my left arm was limp by my side. With the help of a good samartian I walked the 300m journey home gradually realising I was in more pain. I lay down and then it all hit me the, ENOURMOUS adrenilane and nausea.

The pain suddenly became unbarable, I was lying on the floor howling for 25 mins waiting for an ambulance, when they arrived they dosed me up on Morphine (My dad was furiously taking pictures of it all) and the pain subsided. After two hours at Hospital I was diagnosed with a Ruptured AC. It is very common in the AFL in Aus and the NFL, I have seen so many footballers in Australia run off the field holding the shoulder like mine.

Well I am in a lot of pain, but I have avoided surgery. The recovery time we are still slightly unsure of, I am seeing a Doctor who specialises in Footballers injuries and will start an intensive Rehab. Over the next 5 weeks I have 1 Sprint Tri, an Open Water Swim, an Enduro and an Olympic and in 5 weeks I am heading off to Europe to Ski. The Tri's look like a gonner, I may be able to sneak in the Enduro which is the day before I leave.

I was wondering if anyone else had this injury and they could share their experiences. It is very frustratung, as this is my summer holidays and I can't have any alcohol nor really go to the beach and swim. Still onwards and upwards they say.

2009-12-11 5:45 PM
in reply to: #2554973

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
Been there, done that. 11 weeks prior to IMAZ, but I made it to the starting line. Was in teh pool in a cople weeks just kicking and one armed swimming, slowly moved to get the other arm involved. I was on the bike trainer in about 4 days, and then outside after about 10. Running soon after. I found overall running hurtthe most, you don't have the ligaments holding the shoulder blade up so I could feel the whole thing drooping. Worked in PT on strengthening those complementary areas.

Good luck witgh it. Hurts like a mother
2009-12-11 5:47 PM
in reply to: #2555137

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
thanks a heap!!
2009-12-11 9:43 PM
in reply to: #2554973

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
Sound similar to my shoulder injury I have grade 3 separation..did it in early June and raced a HIM 4 months later.

Swimming and running where the hardest for me to get back to. Sometimes running longer aggravated it. I could s/b/r within 6 weeks, swimming took the longest, biking on trainer within a week.

Get PT when your doctor okays it. My PT said I recovered much faster from injury than others as I was already pretty strong.

I do have a weakness in the shoulder and I've added in more strength training and find my effected shoulder collapses and doesn't have strength of my other shoulder. I'm hoping what I'm doing will help.

Hope you recover fast!
2009-12-11 10:08 PM
in reply to: #2554973

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Master
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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
I had a grade 3 separation a couple of years ago.

The first few days were horrible, but it started getting better pretty quickly.

My return to swimming and outside biking was complicated by the fact that I had a cast on my hand and arm as well (broken metacarpal).  However, I returned to the trainer and running at just about the same speed Chris stated above.

By the time the cast came off my hand (4 weeks), my shoulder had returned to full mobility and was ready to build the strength back.  They told me that the scar tissue (that grow to hold the bones together in place of the AC and CC ligaments) is pretty much fully formed within that 4 week period and it is safe to return to normal activity.

Cosmetically, mine looked pretty gruesome.   People would actually gasp when they saw it.  For some reason it isn't quite as noticeable anymore.

2009-12-12 6:37 AM
in reply to: #2554973

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
Mine doesn't look to good either, I am not really fussed, kinda looks cool. Although my left shoulder is noticably lower than my right, however that is probably due to the fact that I am wearing a sling and/or placing as little presseure as possible on it. I think I will head down to the gym tomorrow and go on those funny bike trainers wear you are pedalling away from you.

Seeing a Specialist on Monday who is THE doctor who works with Professional footballers with this injury.. We shall see then. I have also got the physio who works with my favorite football team (this is Aussie rules by the way) so I have a good team behind me.

I didnt realise how common this was and your advice has been invaluable!!

2009-12-12 6:59 AM
in reply to: #2554973

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
I had the grade III a/c seperation after having a bad high speed bike spill in Mid September and had surgery 2 weeks later (Weaver-Dunne procedure) after the road rash subsided a tad. The surgery repaired good according to my ortho who immediately recommended it due to the sports and activities I do. He is a top notch ortho who has worked on many top level athletes in the region. He told me of arthritis probability is more likely without the surgery as well. It killed me to hear this, but since I was "down" I figured what's a few more weeks. Yes, I had two top races left I planned, but couldn't do them. The surgery was no problem and I was in a sling for 5 weeks. Went to PT after that and they couldn't believe the range of motion I had. 9 weeks and change as of now, I almost have my full range of motion back, I got back in the gym last week to begin strength exercises for the shoulder (very light weight). The shoulder appears to be holding well. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon and will probably get on the bike in a couple weeks. (been on a stationary throughout) and will get back in the pool soon to begin drills with kickboard and some other drills that don't involve full stroke.

In essence, I hated to stay out, but I feel good about where I am at now. I fugured it was my body telling me to take a break. My shoulder cosmetically looks good, although my road rash in the area is still present. One piece of advice the ortho told me which I really liked was "think long term".

Good luck
2010-08-24 1:37 PM
in reply to: #2554973

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
just got the grade 3 this morning and will see the ortho dr. tomorrow.  any other opinions/suggestions on your experiences would be very welcome.
2010-08-25 12:23 PM
in reply to: #2554973

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Subject: RE: Level 3 Ruptured AC in Shoulder (aka Shoulder Seperation)
Had the same thing happen from a bike crash years ago. Landed on my shoulder/head, broke helmet and separated shoulder. Having had both a separated shoulder and a broken collar bone, I would opt for the broken collar bone. Its a lot quicker healing and less painful. PT and strength training will help a lot. As others have said, running caused the most pain. I also couldn't lie/sleep on that side for a looong time because of the pressure it put on my shoulder and the pain it caused, which really sucked because that is the side I sleep best.
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