Shoulder Separation - Advice???

[RallyRob]

Went over the bars on the weekend after clipping a tree on a sketchy downhill and have apparently managed a grade 5-6 shoulder separation which will likely require an operation to repair......seems I tore every single ligament in my shoulder but at least my new Santa Cruz Tallboy came away pretty much unscathed except for a slightly buckled front wheel.

 

Seeing a specialist at the Wilgers hospital (Pretoria) on Wednesday and was wondering if someone with previous experience of this injury had any advice as to the best course to follow with regards treatment and recovery.

[Garfield2010]

Hi Rob

 

Sorry to hear. It seems like a pretty bad injury. Good luck with the recovery.

 

Just want to let you know should you decide to rather give up the very dangerous sport of cycling, I will be more than willing to take that stooopid bicycle of your hands at no charge....

[majestic]

I popped a rotator cuff in a fall once. Had to have the shoulder repaired. Off the bike for a while. Shoulder is now as good as new. Just listen to the doctors advice and do the physio thing. Don't rush it.You do not want on going problems .

[RollandBounce]

Try and get an appointment at Dr Thys de Beer at Little Company of Mary hosiptal - he is the best guy in the country and specialises in shoulders

[Bikeguy]

Just take it easy and let the Doctors and physio do their thing - most take around 4 months to heal, with mine feeling great after three and half months. I was able to ride after 14 weeks by taking to the road at first. I did stay saint by keeping fit on the spinning bike (Do keep the arm in a sling at first to remind yourself that should not stand up on the stationery bike in the first few weeks). AND don’t throw the dogs its ball only remembering too late that you should not - not fun!

[rad006]

Sorry for you. I had a Grade 5 of 6 AC Joint Separation.

They put in the "Plate of Pain" and removed it 7 months later...This is not a fun operation and means plenty time off bike.

Good luck with your recovery.

[Ramrod]

Also had to have a shoulder op to sort out a waterskiing injury. Listen to the doc and take the required time off. I know you will become grumpy if you anything like i was but in the end it is better for you as you heal quicker.

 

To those who have had shoulder injuries etc, don't you find the joint stiff when it is cold? I am seriously struggling this year whenever it is cold my shoulder get sore. (Only had the op done last year MAy)

[Napalm]

I'm popped my shoulder when I had to dive into a parked car to avoid a mommy. Luckily it popped back into socket all my itself. Even better, I was unconsious when this happened. The ligaments took about 6 weeks to heal, and it does hurt in the cold - but that went away in a year or so.

[ibruegge]

Also had to have a shoulder op to sort out a waterskiing injury. Listen to the doc and take the required time off. I know you will become grumpy if you anything like i was but in the end it is better for you as you heal quicker.

 

To those who have had shoulder injuries etc, don't you find the joint stiff when it is cold? I am seriously struggling this year whenever it is cold my shoulder get sore. (Only had the op done last year MAy)

 

yeah, had a rotator cuff operation 8 years ago. Can still tell the weather by the levels of stiffness / pain in my shoulder. Always though it was a ton of hogwash, but yes, if it is cold, I am sore..

[RallyRob]

Jeez and I was thinking 4 weeks max for a full recovery.......seems I am in bigger trouble than I realized.

 

And I thought not being able to use my dominant right hand for the next couple of weeks was the toughest part of the recovery.

 

To make matters worse my team is leading the SA national rally championship and I am supposed to compete next weekend. Fortunately I'm not the driver and as navigator arm mobility is not that critical but still going to be tricky trying to balance my recovery with the needs of my team.

[majestic]

Jeez and I was thinking 4 weeks max for a full recovery.......seems I am in bigger trouble than I realized.

 

And I thought not being able to use my dominant right hand for the next couple of weeks was the toughest part of the recovery.

 

To make matters worse my team is leading the SA national rally championship and I am supposed to compete next weekend. Fortunately I'm not the driver and as navigator arm mobility is not that critical but still going to be tricky trying to balance my recovery with the needs of my team.

 

Getting bounced around in a rally car is going to be a challenge. 6 weeks before you drive yourself.The more you do, the longer it will take to recover. Chat to your specialist and hear what he has to say about next week end. I think not.

[The Guy in Pink]

I had a A/C Joint seperation 2 years ago.

The Surgeon said go look on the internet, you will find 44 ways to fix it.

If any worked there would only be 2 or three.

[jules1976]

i have a grating scapular from the excessive years of playing indoor volleyball got used to the pain and annoyance factor.

 

one thing for sure is to rest , recuperate and rehab sessions also ensure u start a training program to build up that shoulder.

 

Glad the fall wasn't too bad and that ur tall boy wasn't too badly damaged

[Cejay]

yeah, had a rotator cuff operation 8 years ago. Can still tell the weather by the levels of stiffness / pain in my shoulder. Always though it was a ton of hogwash, but yes, if it is cold, I am sore..

Don't need the weather service to tell me when it is going to rain,very sore when weather is cold.

[Andymann]

My mom has just had her shoulder rebuilt - at 73. It was done by Dr. Barrow in Morningside - we did the research - he's one of the best. She was 6 weeks in a sling so you are in for a bit of a long haul - you'll even have to sleep in the thing, and apparrently it's one of the more painful operations you can have. She's just coming right now, but importantly, the Dr. did an awesome job - so I would recommend you try and get an opinion from him.

[Ramrod]

i was with Dr Breckon from Morningside. He is brilliant. Works on most of the springboks.