3rd degree shoulder separation

Boomer718 · 08-22-2006, 05:25 PM

I had an accident while helping my daughter relocate to grad school. I fell 5 feet off the back of a truck onto my shoulder and upper back. I have a 3rd degree separated shoulder, a broken clavicle and some broken ribs.

Does anyone in this forum have any experience with a shoulder separation? Specifically, I'm wondering will I ever be able to do bench presses, dumbell presses etc. Any comments from those unfortunate to have had a similar experience would be appreciated. I need some reason to be optimistic.

BIG Z · 08-22-2006, 06:03 PM

yes but you need to do all the therapy and do not rush the healing process. If you dont complete the therapy or you try and rush outcome will not be good. http://www.sportsmedicine.upmc.com/I...ationRehab.htm

NumberTwentyTwo · 08-22-2006, 06:13 PM

even w a 3rd degree seperation bench will be a no go and alot of normal stuff throughout everyday life will also be affected, even sleeping

honestly your best bet is sergury

i had a 3rd degree seperation...tried therapy...still had horrable pain/ach and couldnt do most exrcises

opted for sergury against my family and doctors thoughts

now its ben a year and im 100% happy i chose that rought. the thought of sergury sucks but if u plan on lifting its the best choice

any questions just ask

Boomer718 · 08-22-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NumberTwentyTwo

even w a 3rd degree seperation bench will be a no go and alot of normal stuff throughout everyday life will also be affected, even sleeping

honestly your best bet is sergury

i had a 3rd degree seperation...tried therapy...still had horrable pain/ach and couldnt do most exrcises

opted for sergury against my family and doctors thoughts

now its ben a year and im 100% happy i chose that rought. the thought of sergury sucks but if u plan on lifting its the best choice

any questions just ask

I'm meeting with a surgeon tomorrow to discuss whether or not I need to go the surgical route.

Jordan×core · 08-22-2006, 09:43 PM

I've torn my shoulder and dislocated it 3 times.

I'm dealing with the surgery route myself. If I get it done It'll be awhile before I can lift or play any sports.

but If I don't get it I'll always have the risk of it popping out again.

Dan · 10-05-2006, 10:53 PM

I ripped mine out 3 times and twice popped it back myself. The only lifts I don't do are db flys and dips. Simply because it agrevates my shoulder.

How long ago did you do this?

**powerman2000** · 10-06-2006, 03:29 PM

I seperated my AC joint about 20 years ago and it's never bothered me in the gym.

Boomer718 · 10-07-2006, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerman2000

I seperated my AC joint about 20 years ago and it's never bothered me in the gym.

I've started working out again after 6 weeks (against the advice of my doctor) with very light weight and high reps for exercises like dumbbell presses and barbell curls. I don't do anything that causes me pain. However, I do feel "pressure" on the rear bone of the shoulder joint. This is especially the case with barbell curls; i don't get that pressure when doing dumbbell curls. I'm able to do lat pulldowns and cable rows with no problem and I also do my regular leg work as done prior to my injury.

It's encouraging to know that someone like yourself has not been held back long term after suffering an AC separation. Did you do any physical therapy or special routine when you initially started training again?

**powerman2000** · 10-07-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boomer718

Did you do any physical therapy or special routine when you initially started training again?

No PT and nothing special, but I was in my early 20s so I think that played a big role in my recovery. The seperation is visible of course because that joint is right on top of your shoulder area, but it's never bothered me since it healed.

Boomer718 · 10-08-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerman2000

No PT and nothing special, but I was in my early 20s so I think that played a big role in my recovery. The seperation is visible of course because that joint is right on top of your shoulder area, but it's never bothered me since it healed.

The age difference certainly will make a difference in my recovery time. None the less, it's nice to know that I can have a reasonable expectation to return to regular training at some point in the future.

Thanks again for your feedback.

**Grunt76** · 10-08-2006, 04:18 PM

I have a 3rd degree shoulder separation from my May 25 bicycle crash.

I tried benching with 67% of weight 2 days ago, and it is a no go.

My doctor said I will probably need surgery.

I'm going to go that way.

Some people are confusing dislocation with separation. Dislocations are less severe than separations. A separation is actually partially tearing the arm OFF, whereas a dislocation is where the humerus "pops out" of its socket. When you pop it back in, you're back to normal, whereas a separation is never back to normal.

I'll update with my experience going the surgical route. The first step is getting a magnetic resonance scan, and that is always a pretty long wait to begin with.

DarkFalcon · 10-08-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunt76

I have a 3rd degree shoulder separation from my May 25 bicycle crash.

I tried benching with 67% of weight 2 days ago, and it is a no go.

My doctor said I will probably need surgery.

I'm going to go that way.

Some people are confusing dislocation with separation. Dislocations are less severe than separations. A separation is actually partially tearing the arm OFF, whereas a dislocation is where the humerus "pops out" of its socket. When you pop it back in, you're back to normal, whereas a separation is never back to normal.

I'll update with my experience going the surgical route. The first step is getting a magnetic resonance scan, and that is always a pretty long wait to begin with.

Damn bro I was hoping for an easier route for you. At least you know if the surgery is done well you can get back to pretty close to where you were. 1000's of athlete's have gone through it and come back as good as ever so it's certainly not a death sentence.

**Grunt76** · 10-08-2006, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFalcon

Damn bro I was hoping for an easier route for you. At least you know if the surgery is done well you can get back to pretty close to where you were. 1000's of athlete's have gone through it and come back as good as ever so it's certainly not a death sentence.

Exactly man. I'm thinking, get this done and over with. Bite the bullet once and hard instead of trying to half-ass workarounds and always hope that I don't get reinjured worse.

Boomer718 · 10-09-2006, 01:08 PM

Grunt76, I agree many people confuse a separation with a dislocation. I have been diagnossed with a 3rd degree separation; however, my orthopaedist not no recommend surgery at this point. This is due partly to my being in my late 50's.

I'm back to the point that I can do most exercises that I was doing previously but with a lot less weight. I also broke my collar bone and the bone has not completely healed yet.

Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

08-22-2006, 05:25 PM	#1
Boomer718 Pro Stature Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 180 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	3rd degree shoulder separation I had an accident while helping my daughter relocate to grad school. I fell 5 feet off the back of a truck onto my shoulder and upper back. I have a 3rd degree separated shoulder, a broken clavicle and some broken ribs. Does anyone in this forum have any experience with a shoulder separation? Specifically, I'm wondering will I ever be able to do bench presses, dumbell presses etc. Any comments from those unfortunate to have had a similar experience would be appreciated. I need some reason to be optimistic.

08-22-2006, 06:13 PM	#3
NumberTwentyTwo New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	even w a 3rd degree seperation bench will be a no go and alot of normal stuff throughout everyday life will also be affected, even sleeping honestly your best bet is sergury i had a 3rd degree seperation...tried therapy...still had horrable pain/ach and couldnt do most exrcises opted for sergury against my family and doctors thoughts now its ben a year and im 100% happy i chose that rought. the thought of sergury sucks but if u plan on lifting its the best choice any questions just ask __________________ #22

08-22-2006, 09:43 PM	#5
Jordan×core Pro Stature Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 851 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 31	I've torn my shoulder and dislocated it 3 times. I'm dealing with the surgery route myself. If I get it done It'll be awhile before I can lift or play any sports. but If I don't get it I'll always have the risk of it popping out again. __________________ How did I fail women studies? I love bitches. If there is no enemy there is no fight...if there is no fight there is no victor...if there is no victor there is no crown.....now we have a enemy we have a fight and we will win the crown.

10-05-2006, 10:53 PM	#6
Dan Unpaid Trash Collector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,725 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 26	I ripped mine out 3 times and twice popped it back myself. The only lifts I don't do are db flys and dips. Simply because it agrevates my shoulder. How long ago did you do this? __________________ Got an issue send a PM ... to anyone but me

10-06-2006, 03:29 PM	#7
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 203	I seperated my AC joint about 20 years ago and it's never bothered me in the gym. __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

08-22-2006, 06:03 PM	#2
BIG Z Amateur Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 59 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 12	yes but you need to do all the therapy and do not rush the healing process. If you dont complete the therapy or you try and rush outcome will not be good. http://www.sportsmedicine.upmc.com/I...ationRehab.htm

10-09-2006, 01:08 PM	#14
Boomer718 Pro Stature Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 180 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Grunt76, I agree many people confuse a separation with a dislocation. I have been diagnossed with a 3rd degree separation; however, my orthopaedist not no recommend surgery at this point. This is due partly to my being in my late 50's. I'm back to the point that I can do most exercises that I was doing previously but with a lot less weight. I also broke my collar bone and the bone has not completely healed yet. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

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