Grade 3/5 AC Joint Separation - Surgery vs No Surgery (I'VE DONE BOTH!!!)

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I am a patient. I've suffered two Grade 3+ AC Joint separations in both shoulders. One I've received the Lockdown Surgery for, the other, I've chosen not to do surgery and pursue rigorous rehab instead. My only qualifications are my personal experiences and the ability to compare both options side by side. I have also spent hours upon hours reading various studies and watching the opinions of doctors and patients.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have. #acjointseparation #acjoint #physicaltherapy #surgery #surgeryresults

[ollieoyoyoy]

3+ Years after my grade 3 AC sep and sprained SC joint from an e-board accident, no surgery, still get some aches and tightness but it depends on activities etc. I tried a few alternative treatments such as ozone injections and acupuncture but the best thing so far has been some cupping which helps blood reach the damaged areas. Thx for the calm, honest account of your experience(s).

[richardbarker]

Really amazing content - thanks for sharing.

I had a downhill MTB crash 3.5 weeks ago and was told it was a grade 3/5 separation. I have been making a speedy recovery so far. I am in no real pain and got mobility back while using the sling in week 1 and I was also doing resistance band training in the first week and second.

Met with the surgeon on week 2 and recommended no surgery and physio route. I started weight training, swimming, and resistance training in week 3 and started gentle MTB riding again this week, starting on green and blue flow tails and some light red tech. Still, massively off the level I was before and the main challenge I had is my confidence got shot to pieces.

I felt depressed with worry as to whether I would ride again or enjoy my sports again. I started to second guess myself whether I should be doing the surgery or not and whether I looked like a freak with the bump and rising collar bone.

Those are challenges for me. I nearly have all my strength and mobility back but my shoulder feels weird sometimes. I started trail running which was a great way to keep me positive.

Your content makes me feel more assured of the route I am taking - thanks for much and don't give up the mountain biking :)

[josephcabral]

Sorry that this happened to you man. Thank you for sharing your story. I have an ac injury as well. Grade 3 .9 was out . Getting better but very slowly. Best of uck to you

[brianthalhamer]

Thank you for discussing how it affected you mentally. I'm having issues deciding on getting the surgery 6 months out. It can be hard to look in the mirror because I look broken. Hoping to eventually come to terms with it because functionally I am basically back to normal and concerned surgery could make the functionality worse.

[sheppy]

Very useful video. A sensible walk through all the softer considerations that are now racing through my mind. 3 weeks into a category 4 separation from a ski accident. My main issue is that I am 69! Fit and active but have to consider the risks and longer recovery time. I'm finding it a very difficult decision to contemplate.

[stustu]

I separated my shoulder 6 months ago in a cycle crash . 2 weeks ago I had lockdown procedure surgery, synthetic ligaments put in and iron ligaments repaired . Early days but hoping for a full recovery

[markjashworth]

Thanks - really useful video - I just suffered an AC joint separation last Friday coming off my mountain bike at speed. It's bloody painful.
I'm yet to see the surgeon but feel that he will probably recommend physiotherapy. I am on the cusp for this as the initial assessment was a grade 3. I love the fact that you may go back mountain biking to only go uphill and walk down. I laughed out loud at that comment. Thanks again.

[HarendraSingh-no]

Bro i have grade 3 Ac joint separation injury. My doctor advised me sling for 15 days and after it he advised me for physiotherapy 2-3 times in a day. Now I'm feeling much better.

[e.j.]

Thanks for video, I should probably make one. Did you mention what grade for the right?. Same thing with me was skating a concrete mini ramp rock got in my wheel and went head 1st into concrete severe grade 5. ER doc did not grade it just said it would heal. First opinion ortho said grade 3 and to give it a shot without surgery (he mentioned something about a big screw if he did do it). Went to 2nd ortho he offered dogbone button and tape and said it was severe grade 5.Chose surgery by this doctor because I also read get it done quick. three weeks after the injury he ended up, cutting off the end of my clavicle, which, for his procedure was optional, he said because of my age of 50. Long story short this surgery failed had 2nd surgery by different AC joint specialist in Manhattan 6 months later lost me CA ligament and this surgery failed with the button pulling through & fracturing my coracoid. Had 3rd surgery 3 months after that with a hookplate & ORIF screws to fix coracoid fracture. Had Hookpkate removed 2.5 months ago now I am rehabbing again and trying to build strength towards decent shoulder. And yes big time depression set in also needed pain management with narcotics that I am currently trying to wean off. Btw my original bump was enormous it looked like the bone was going into my ear. IMO if you can get true consensus of a grade 3 & it truly is grade 3..:.definitely consider the conservative route.

[alvyuen]

Same here, had a grade 5 on my left in 2019, 6 weeks ago, a grade 3 on my right. Had tightrope surgery back then
Which was not a successful one, it could not put the clavicle back in place as the acromion was in the way, it only lowered it to like a grade 3, however, it healed well, I have 90-95% ROM and I dun noticed difference in strength compare to pre injury.
X ray of my right looks better than my left post surgery, that’s the reason I decided to go with conservative this time
6 weeks past, now it has more ROM than the left close to 100% still have some limitation reaching across and the back
Strength is coming back, I’m sure it will healed well that I can handle everyday activities with ease but I wonder whether it will be good enough for the sports I do, judo etc. sometimes I still have doubt whether I made the right decision
I found the mental side of this injury is so much worse than physical😩

[talorb]

I flew off a dirt bike at 30+ mph’s and landed on my dominate arm shoulder (right) 3 days before my wedding lol still had a great time though. Sat in the ER for 6 hours holding my arm. They told me a “slight” separation and sent me home without a sling lol. The slight was a grade 3. I’m 6 days in now (sling except when I shower) and I’m still aching from walking too long and I just stay up until I can’t sleep to actually sleep. Mornings and showers are dreadful. Waiting to see a specialist. I see people moving their arm fully doing all kind of shit and if I move mine at all it’s pretty rough. Other than that pains tolerable. I also thought it was a dislocated and tried to pop it back in. I was a firefighter/emt for years and I still decided that was a good idea when everyone says don’t. I’ve always been active and never suffered any injury like this l. So this is tough for me. Not wanting surgery I don’t think I can sit around like that. I’ll go bat shit crazy I already am.

[stady]

Really really appreciate your vids man they have helped me a bunch. Going for my Ortho appointment in two weeks. Going to try to get an MRI beforehand.

[spacedoctorkai]

Mine was recent. I also was mtb. Downhill over a tabletop jump and landed on it. Heard a pop. It didn't hurt as bad for 20 min because of the adrenaline. But it REALLY started hurting. Luckily there was a nurse on scene and she told me to get it checked. I have a lump on my shoulder where the clavicle is over the shoulder.

[stefanbradatov]

Hey guys, here I am same story, ski jump landed on my shoulder firstly though is dislocated and need to go back in place and then ACJ 11 days ago that happened I much as I read I much depressed I get. Very active person, little toddler good job and now sucks. Haven't choosen surgery yet, still researching as you can see😅 btw till 1-2 days ago was definitely grade 3 then became 4 and since today I think has raised and now I think is 5 and I have very strange feeling in the shoulder like in freezed or is burning and at the same time when I move it my brain is like aw it is ok. I don't have much of a located pain but a strange pains in the trapezoid something, in the scapula and that burning or tingling. Btw the tingling started today when I tried to give my shoulder a massage and some short exercises. I also have very good range of motion and only if I try wired arm positions then I get this clavicula touching someware or the acromion touching the clavicle. Shit happens we have to continue living as before. Different sports, different activities, smaller weights more reps.(probably....in future 😅) I hope you are guys rehab well.
Hey what do you think about the guys from the other videos whos say " no problem grade 3 quick recovery, full strength back" is this possible?

[gergosnoo]

nice video thx. it happened on my right side 3weeks ago, before that I played basketball for 20 years, in 2015 I had my right collarbone broke but was lucky enough to avoid surgery, then I picked up onewheeling and I chose to ride regular instead of goofy to avoid my right side hitting the ground first if I fall. But I did fell on it anyway and seems to be a grade 3, but after a week checkup I was already moving my arms above head without major pain. Probably I will leave as it is and do the rehab exercises.

[ares]

What was the name of your procedure?
I have ac separation grade 5
I’m getting a right shoulder arthroscopy, debridement, coracoclavicular reconstruction with allograft.

[arbenzajmi]

Thank you for sharing. I have a quick question regarding sling use. 2nd day after of a 3rd degree, not using a sling yet. I’m starting to not feel the need of it. Your thoughts?

[iskillcorn]

I suffered this 2 weeks ago, MTB accident grade 3 ACJ! Saw Doctor yesterday and he signed me off work for 4 weeks, no lifting no driving etc, wants to see me in 4 week to assess wether I need an OP or not! Not been advised to do any physio tho?

[kissmyarbiter]

I am an mma athlete; at the ripe age of 18 i got an ACL high grade partial tear with some dislocation.
Hard to call shots on conservative treatment because i want to be the best fighter in the world. Hopefully surgery provides better stability and power output. If anyone has any opinion about what i should do, please weigh in.

[MG-bfzi]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Went OTB on my mountain bike and got a grade 3 separation. I've been struggling between getting surgery and not, because I feel I'm going to end up falling back on my shoulder again one day and feel like I could end up destroying my shoulder again anyway. So I think I'll pause on it and wait and see. And also wait and see if I fall on it again in the future and separate it even more. Did you decide to stick with not doing surgery on your other shoulder? And is it still progressing well over a year later compared to the one that got surgery? And did you ever go back to mountain biking?