Hi all

Unfortunately had an off in Wales last weekend and have apparently ended up with a separated shoulder( despite the fall being nothing special) . The medical decision has been to “leave it” despite it being in the grey area of an op or not as the movement I have seems ok. Reading the info I can find on the net it appears to be a grade 3/4. Together with the pain I am also left with a deformity that looks like I have a coat hanger shoved inside my shoulder. Seeing as I appear to have to live with this for life now I have booked in privately to see a shoulder sport injury consultant (not that I could afford a private op) to hopefully get a more enlightened opinion.
I’ve looked on the net but can only seem to find lots of horror stories which have only made me feel worse so hoping for a few more positive stories?? What movement/strength can I expect; what are the expected timescales; will the deformity lesson over time? Any feedback from people that have had an op or not? Help???

Thanks and Here’s hoping :-O

If it is 3/4 I am surprised they are not operating as I thought 3 was border line and 4 was deffo op. I had a complete separation back in March, so off the 5 scale. By the time I had the ‘tightrope’ put in after a week the gap between the bones was getting on towards two inches due to the effects of gravity.

i was told that deciding to do the op is reasonably time critical as it needs to happen before things start healing properly. I ended up going private as despite excellent care from the NHS it started to get a bit farcisical as during my first attendance at fracture clinic the consultant who told me all of this then said but I am knee specialist and you’ll need to see the shoulder specialist to decide on the op and he won’t be able to see you until next Monday.

As I left the clinic I rang Bupa and it was all done and dusted before I would even have seen the NHS consultant to decide what the next step should. The benefits of work health insurance.

On the plus side I was back on road bike after 2 months and mtb after 3. And now 6 months later I am as fast as I ever was and the shoulder does not get a second thought, except for things like changing light bulbs at full stretch which is still incredibly painful.

The op was pretty painless, done under General, and only painful for about 36 hours afterwards. The real pain came after 6 weeks when physio started and that was much much worse than both the crash and the op.

I did mine 6 weeks ago. I was told it was a grade 3. Fracture clinic registrar was useless.
Told me not to use it, didn’t offer physio until I asked, and offered me a sling.

Saw private physio next day, I was seeing him anyway with my knee!

Registrars advice was completely wrong, Keep it moving or it can freeze.
6 weeks later, back to 95%. I have near full range of movement. Only the odd thing gives me pain, like fitting lightbulbs.

Mine was not as bad as yours but get loads of advice before the operation.

Mine was a grade 3 or 4, can’t recall. Extensive physio sorted it. Looks a tad wonky but it’s 100% serviceable now!

3 weeks before I was road riding and 6 before I was mincing around on an MTB!

Level 4 here, although the op is time critical they can’t do much until the swelling has gone down which was the best part of 2 weeks for me.
Levels are defined by the number of ligaments that you’ve detached (there are 4) level 5 is where the collar bone has relocated itself below the shoulder blade.

I hope you’re not vegan/vegetarian, to tie your shoulder back together they use ligaments from a cadaver 😀

You need Dr Funk (this is not a joke).

Had mine operated on nearly 10years ago, they used gore-tex tape to pull mine back together, had the same surgeon as Steve Peat, was immobile for a couple of weeks post-op then Physio but was back working within 8 weeks and my job involves a lot of heavy lifting. My op was done within a fortnight of the injury happening.

I did my left shoulder last Sunday after an off round Cannock.

After Xrays at a&e I was told I had a something something which is the new name for a seperated shoulder.

Wasn’t given a grade and it wasn’t until I got home and had a look that I found the different grades.

They didn’t seem overly concerned and advised rest from sport but keep moving as I could. 1 week later it is a lot better but still get sharp electrical type stabs when moving in certain motions.

Going to leave mine and see what happens, although from the sound of others injuries I don’t think I did much more than stretch the bits too far.

Sure makes one appreciate how much work muscles and tendons do though 😯

Thanks all some v interesting points. I’m not impressed with the comments I’ve received from the registrar and general orthopaedic consultant so far. Seemed a bit like he couldn’t really be bothered and I did get a hint of “what do you expect if you do pastimes like MTBing”. The specialist I’m booked to see is 2 weeks post accident but that’s as soon as I could get an appointment but hopefully will get some better (and more informed) advice and if needed will use it to go back to the NHS
Cheers

I’ve had an AC shoulder separation and unfortunately it was on the same side as a collarbone broken some 10 years previously. Was just sent away with the broken collarbone and ended up being lop-sided with resultant pain that I just got used to.

Despite the 16 week nonsense, the NHS made me wait 7 months as they were busy apparently and had a backlog and, no, I couldn’t go to another hospital.

Due to experiencing discomfort and pain through bad posture from compensating, I had the op done privately, by the same NHS surgeon, and had metal work put in. Regrettably some 6 weeks later I ended up with a frozen shoulder (horrendous pain) so back in again for manipulation under anaesthetic.

What I have learnt is that it’s worth researching surgeons who are sympathetic towards active people. Additionally you’ll need to find an experienced physio (personal recommendation is always good) and have them treating you around 2 weeks after the op. Follow their recommended exercises, really listen to your body and take heed of any tightness or discomfort.

Thanks cinnamon girl -very helpful. Not sure how easily I could afford an op if it comes to it, but if so it wouldn’t be the surgeon I’ve seen through the NHS that’s for certain. Cheers

I think you have to follow your instincts to a certain degree. Fair enough, you weren’t happy with the NHS surgeon but worth asking if you can see another.

Must say that my scar has healed really well, a neat job done. Shame that my other scars from the accident are visible, not a good look on a middle-aged woman. 😳

Good luck!

The physio I have seen, they have joint physio and trainer sessions. 20 min with the physio and 20 with the trainer who goes through the exercises and makes sure you are doing them correctly and to progress them if required.
They expect you to have a sport which you “need” to get back to as soon as possible, rather than a dismissive attitude towards sport. The registrar which I saw was quite a weighty chap who had clearly not done any exercise for a fair while.

Who says scars aren’t a “good look” CG?