Acromioclavicular Injuries - ac injury - dislocated collar bone

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mizzymoo

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i have a grade lll clavicular injury, i have torn all ligaments holding the clavicular bone down i have huge lump sticking out of the top my shoulder and cant lift my arm any higher than shoulder hight cant lift anything that has any weight to it and am in serious pain at night
this happened 10 days ago,

i wondered if there is anyone else out there that has suffered this injury and has any
advise or could share there stories of how they coped and of they have any problems now?
 
My original injury was not as acute as yours, no obvious damage but very painful to lift my arm above shoulder height and no upward strength in the arm - did manage to keep riding! I didn't actually go to the doctor for about 3 months, was convinced that it would get better with time but finally gave in when driving was becoming increasingly painful. Diagnosed with a damaged ACJ. I opted for the conservative route for treatment which in hindsight I regret.

Initially had a course of anti - inflammatories and rest - no real difference
Physio - helped a bit but still no significant improvement
Steroid injection into the joint - short term there was a big improvement then gradual deterioration again.

Finally opted for surgery and it was the best thing I did, admittedly due to a large range of factors it did take over a year for me to actually have the op but really glad I did. 2 months ago I had an Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression, pretty uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks post surgery but there has been a gradual improvement since then and now I would say I am in a position where the pain is less and also different than that which I was experiencing pre-surgery. My surgeon quoted that he would expect me to be pain free in a year and so far according to the physio I am ahead of where I would be expected to be in terms of recovery.

Riding again after 4 weeks, back eventing after 6 weeks
.
Sorry for the ramblings, let me know if you want any more info.

Good luck
 
That sounds blinking painful!

No experience (as yet, last time I wrote that about something, I ended up with a broken back a day later, so now I err on the side of caution!). Sorry, I digress, I just wanted to send you best wishes and hope it heals quickly and well.
 
Me too, I really feel for you. The pain at night is the worst :(

If it's type III separation, are they going to operate?

I had a fall when jumping in Aug 2009, xrays showed type II separation of AC joint. Was prescribed physio, rest & painkillers (tramadol).

Pain slowly got worse again, gave in & went back in June this year, when it was waking me up at night. Xrays show it's now type 3 separation, AC joint is very unstable and clavicle has moved nearly an inch upwards in 12 months :o

Now going for an MRI scan at the end of this month, then back to specialist in Oct. Scan should hopefully show how badly damaged the rotator cuff is & whether steriod injections will help, or whether surgery will be needed.

The huge lump is horrid too, trying to find a dress to wear for a wedding this summer to cover it was a mission!

I did find the first 2 weeks were the worst, perhaps it will start to ease a little after that? Hope you feel better soon :)
 
thank you for your replies

ok so now i have to have an op.... anyone else had this problem if so can i hear your experience?
 
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