AC Joint Reconstructive surgery
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tonyre31 wrote:hi all, had surgery 3 weeks ago for a stage 4+ separation after downhill mountain bike crash how long before the pain stops? its worse in the morning many thanks tonyTough to say Tony, but it takes a couple of months anyway. Make sure you take your meds and ice it constantly. I was given a cryocuff...it was fantastic. I slept sitting up in a recliner with pillows stuffed under my arms for several weeks. But my surgery was on Feb 22, 2012 and by the end of May I was back out rock climbing. I am moving up on a year here this month...so far so good. I am feeling strong and am less aware of the shoulder. It will take a good year or more to get it back to 100%. IT has only been this past month or so that I have kind of forgotten that I had the surgery...less aware of the surgical site...so I am happy with that. Keep up with the PT...do it religiously and you will be happy you had the procedure. |
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I was mountain biking porcupine rim in Moab UT 4 weeks ago today and was within the last 2 miles of the trail and hit a steep section and flipped my bike. I now have a type 3 tear in my Left AC. (Shown in the PICS). I have been to 3 different Docs, 1 in Moab and the other 2 here in my home city. The first doc said that I probably would not need the surgery and the second doc said I prob would not need the surgery either but he sent me to another doc who specializes more in this type of injury. The third doc recommends that I have the surgery. I work as a firefighter and I am also a rock climber so given what I do for a living and my active lifestyle I am choosing to go threw with the surgery. I know there is a lot of controversy on Type 3 AC tears so I really do not know what the best option would be in the long run but I think I have decided to go threw with the surgery on JUNE 16th. I have noticed that most people that have this type of injury do not go threw with the surgery but I think I might follow Chris on this and OPT for the surgery even tho the recovery time will be long and rough. If anybody has any other suggestions or experiences I would like to hear them... |
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Hi Joshua! |
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Chris, thanks for this awesome thread! It's a godsend. I'm 4 weeks out from the surgery to repair a grade 3 ac seperation. A taxi clipped me (illegal lane change and no signal) on my bike commute and I went flying. I thought I did a good job of rolling over my shoulder, but I guess it wasn't good enough. I have the bonus of having a broken right hand and left wrist too. |
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Hi Evan! |
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Well I am 2 weeks out of surgery and not feeling good! I woke up out of surgery not only with a sore shoulder but with a paralyzed left arm. Apparently the doctor either placed the clamps over my nerves during the surgery and put them to sleep or it might have something to do with the anesthesiologists...I am not sure and neither is my doctor...so basically I have a left arm that I cannot use as of right now. The doc failed to mention that this surgery could result in nerve damage. So now not only is my shoulder recovering but I have to wait and see if I get any feeling back in my left arm over the next few weeks. My shoulder is actually doing better than my arm. I have pain that shoots down from my shoulder to my finger tips because of the nerves and it sux. Makes me kinda regret getting the surgery. Apparently this is a rare thing so it only makes sense that it would happen to me. |
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Holt shit Josh, that is awful news. Any time you go under the knife you take a risk, but this sounds like somebody screwed up. Never heard of this happening. Do you have any recourse? I hope you recover from this bro |
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Josh, |
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Well I am 2 weeks out of surgery and not feeling good! I woke up out of surgery not only with a sore shoulder but with a paralyzed left arm. Apparently the doctor either placed the clamps over my nerves during the surgery and put them to sleep or it might have something to do with the anesthesiologists... |
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I got a MRI and I did a EMG nerve test the other day and they say that it is my radial nerve that is damaged and that it was probably caused by improper positioning during the surgery or they said the blood pressure cuff might have been to tight around my arm. So I am basically stuck waiting to see if the nerve will recover on its own. They say it could take 2-6 months. U know doctors spend all of their time in books and learning new ways of doing things in our advanced society that it just amazes me how little common sense they have so now I have to suffer for who knows how long because the doctor and his medical staff were to smart to realize a simple mistake. Very Frustrating! |
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Josh I am sorry you are having a bad time with surgery. I hope there is recourse but whats done is done and for now keep a killer mindset. bring yourself back. |
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Hi Josh. Like the poster before me said, done is done. Your new point of departure is where you are right now. If you have recourse for any wrong-doing, pursue it. But don't let that process bog you down in your march to full recovery. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress. |
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Six and a half weeks from the surgery. I just washed my right armpit for the first time since the accident. Oh the joy! PT is a godsend. |
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8 weeks post surgery. I lifted my arm over my head! Veeeeerrrryyyyy slowly..... |
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Evan- How is your recovery coming along now? |
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Well its been 12 weeks since the surgery. The shoulder has healed nicely. I can move my arm freely without any pain expect for when I cross over my chest and grab my other arm, there is still a little pain. I still cannot sleep on my left side. I used the resistance band to strengthen for 2 weeks and then added 5lb weights to my workout. Its still weak but making progress. I was able to swim laps in the pool the other day so was stoked about that. I am able to move my wrist and fingers again but still not back to normal. I notice small changes over 2-3 week periods so yes its taking a long time for the nerves to heal in my arm but they are slowly healing. I just hope I make a full recovery. Overall I am happy with the shoulder surgery other than the fact that my wrist is fucked but I guess there is always a risk when going under the knife. The scar is not bad and definitely looks better than that big ass deformity that was there. I am still out of work but maybe can get back to it in another 2 weeks or so. |
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I had an AC joint separation class 2 about 2 years ago. 6 months after I was ok and starting climbing again. |
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I can't tell you how thankful I am for this string. I had an epic MB crash in the World Cup MB DH course in NZ resulting in a nice AC separation. I see the surgeon tomorrow to discuss surgery or not. I feel much more informed now. THANKS. I just want to make sure I can still do DH Mountain Bike riding.
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Looks familiar...sadly Kathy! |
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Chris / others- great string of posts… |