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AC joint separation
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 9:11 pm    Post subject: AC joint separation Reply with quote

I recently suffered a pretty severe AC joint separation from a non windsurfing accident. I go to see an orthopedic specialist on the 31st to discuss treatment. Research seems divided on surgical vs just physiotherapy as the best option.

What I'm wondering is if anyone on here has recovered from an injury like this and returned to windsurfing to at least the level you were previous to it? I intend to mention a desire to get back sailing as quickly as possible.
I also broke a few ribs and my clavicle so even maintaining strength on the opposite side is currently a challenge, so being down after a surgery isn't much of a problem.

Thanks,
Grant
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katiedog



Joined: 09 Jul 2000
Posts: 117

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had a AC Seperation in early Sept. from a bike fall . Nothing broken though,although I though so at the time .I put off heavy activities for a check from Dr. friend and PT friend .Only a week off total then a trip to PSC Smile and now back on regular training . No water time now as its to cold for me .I also just kited rather than windsurfing as I know that would have been harder on the shoulder .Good luck with your Dr.apt.
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outcast



Joined: 04 May 2004
Posts: 2724

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you get surgery, they will do heavy Physical Therapy afterward...

Why not do the PT before?

I did...the older you are, the more likely surgery is required...they wanted to operate.

I was really faithful about every day PT exercises/stretching, and am near 100% without surgery

But I did the work...it was a bitch and took me like 3-4 months....In the end, a really deep myofascial massage, by a killer chick put me over the hump

I should say that i was sailing before that...but couldn't really pull my wetsuit on or off, and rescue swimming would have been tough

Swimming itself was a good comeback tool

I'm a Doc...
The disclamer is that every injury is different

Good luck...Do the work...strength and range of motion

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NOVAAN



Joined: 28 Sep 1994
Posts: 1541

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where there is a will there is a way. Most of us old dog windsurfer's have had sever injuries of some sort. Mostly from non windsurfing activities. Mine was about as severe as you can get and live to fight another day. Do what you doctor tells you but get a second opinion. While your recovering from all of this, do not sit on the couch and watch T.V. Get in the gym and keep what ever working body parts in shape. Reduce your food intake to compensate for you inactivity. Getting fat only makes it more difficult later as you recover.
You might make a full recovery and get back to your normal. Lets vote for that one. You might need to change how and where you windsurf. For me it was no more waves, jumps or ruff water. Flat water sailing and I'm very happy to be out there. I know guys that had ankle and knee injury's that rip but don't use straps. Like most of us I'm sure you'll find a way to get back to it....
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mistake in the first post wrote "clavicle" when I meant "sturnum". All the bone damage is to my upper ribcage including the 1st rib on the back under my scapula. Apparently a rare and painful injury.

I've been dieting for 5 months (lost damn near 30#) and I'll stick with that to lose more. Also was in the gym 3x a week and I'll be back again soon but with more isolation exercises so as to not hurt the ribs.

I've been using it as much as possible and slowly working it higher. Also staying off the pain meds when possible (sleep is agony).

Reason I ask about surgery is that the end of my clavicle is visibly poking up and the whole shoulder joint is sitting low. Just doesn't seem like it could recover to normal operation in that position.
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loonie2



Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 145

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2018 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just posted when I saw your update. My comments may be less helpful other than in general - so I revise my post. I was originally saying, for my shoulder issues, range of motion is important. I thought broken bones should be rested to heal strong balanced with maintaining range of motion?

Hope yours is a quick recovery. It's amazing what hard work and time can do.

Don't forget about a psychology therapist for the mental strain of the uncertainty and time Smile
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had my orthopedic consult today, unimpressed. Didn't offer any real information other than saying that he doesn't do acute surgery for my injury, only if it's still a problem in 6-12 months. He got very defensive when I mentioned that my research didn't indicate that was the best approach for a athlete requiring overhead strength and shoulder stability.
Time for a second opinion.....
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Several serious AC joint separations, one shoulder dislocation and years of nuisance-level instability when sleeping, badly torn rotator cuff, multiple cracked ribs (I never sail w/o torso armor), broken clavicles (no sternum, but bones heal better than ligaments) here. No surgeries beside knee reconstruction, endless prescribed PT, and maintaining strength to this day have left my shoulders fine for any sports I've tried, but I did pass on learning to kayak because Eskimo rolls are notorious for dislocating shoulders.

None of those or any other injuries (mostly from decades of high-speed motor sports involving thousands of crashes, some from WSing) has left any lasting impairment I can think of, but then I HAVE fired some doctors who gave bad advice, I study this stuff for fun and self-preservation, and I pay a LOT of attention to how I use and exercise my carcass.
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Regarding shoulder problems, it depends on how things unfold over time.

I've had one shoulder I thought needed surgery, and I met with an orthopedic doctor and had an MRI, but things got better over time. It was recommended that I give it some time to come around, and it was the right choice. Yet later, my other shoulder started bothering me badly, and it got very disabling overall. I ultimately had the surgery, and I'm glad I did, but it takes about 6 months to recover.

Needless to say, shoulder problems take time to recover, whether or not you commit to surgery. If I was to offer a recommendation, if things aren't coming around after a few months, I'd seriously consider surgery.
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right now the joint is sitting 2-3cm low and my concern is that PT won't bring it back up, then I'm stuck with badly limited overhead movement. Likewise the wait and see approach means the surgery itself is has a less positive outcome (requires tendon grafts etc).

The doc I saw yesterday appeared to be more of a old folks hip and knee guy without much sports background. I'm hoping that the next can get his head around the kind of stability and movement I need from that joint.

Also my work requires I climb ladders while wearing firefighting equipment, which I can't see doing with limited movement from that joint.
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