Acromioclavicular (AC Joint) Separation

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xxxjoshybxxx

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I was Mountainboarding in the North of England about 2-3 weeks ago and fell off on a large jump, I landed almost entirely on my left shoulder and something went pop. I ended up in an arabulance on the way to hospital and was told I had an AC joint separation. They gave me a sling and some pain killers and sent me on my way. Im now back home after seeing the Fracture clinic in my local hospital and they said not to wear the sling too much and do a few exercises to keep my arm in motion.

I have good movement of my arm but the physio said that Im ok to heal by myself now. She said I will regain full use and strength of my shoulder but I will have a permanent lump.

Im not happy with this diagnosis. Not because I disagree with a medical professional but because this bump is very significant. Its extremely noticeable and when I lift my arm up its incredible. I cant see how this is going to heal to full strength when there is about one quarter of the depth of the collar bone contacting the shoulder blade. Its very misaligned and it seems they are just letting it heal out of place.

Moving my arm sometimes causes crunchy sensations in my shoulder and sometimes the same at the top of my ribcage, it is also making the skin near the lump rather sore, like its rubbing from underneath due to the lump being quite significant.

Anyone experience similar? They say I have a Grade 2 AC Separation. But looking at Grade 2's on the web makes mine seem worse?!

I do alot of extreme sports, including Clirabing, Skydiving and Kickboxing all requiring reliable and STRONG shoulders. I really wouldnt like a recurring problem. Especially in mid air.

What are the chances?

Thanks.
 
just how exactly was this diagnosis made? did they actually do an MRI on that whole shoulder/rotator cuff area too, BEFORE coming up with this Dx? have you seen a good orthosurgeon for a FULL/hanRAB on thorough eval on that shoulder and consult about possible treament options WITH a copy of your actual MRI films, if one was actually even done(an X ray or CT would NOT show ALL possible soft tissue damage that neeRAB to be seen too)? if you could simply answer the questions i asked, it would help TONS in giving you the very best advice.FB
 
I went in again today and they did another X Ray and said its still Grade 2 and they wont operate or anything and sent me to a physio. He said it will heal (with a permanent lump) but to around 95% of its strength. Because the bones are misaligned (the collarbone is still raised) then its not going to ever be as stable as the other shoulder. I asked what I could do about this. He said nothing.

Surgery would be too risky for the benefits it could give. He said it would 1/20 make shoulder stronger in the long term, and 3/20 make it worse. But there may be no lump after surgery, just a scar. Id rather a scar than a lump, at least I cant see it through my clothes.

I havent had any MRI or anything like that. I doubt its that serious. He said the popping and crunchy sensations are normal and that the pain will completely go in about 3 weeks.

Thanks.
 
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