Thread: AC Separation
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Old 07-16-04 | 10:54 AM
  #11  
GBMtnBiker
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Rolla, MO

Bikes: Raleigh M800

Krispy - I feel your pain! Literally! I hope you are well healed by now.

Ten weeks ago I was going about 35 mph downhill on a gravel road when I spied a conveniently located pile of gravel on the side of the road. It was obviously there to spread over the road, and was my apparent good fortune to find such a terrific jump opportunity. Away I went, up and over... only to find a second pile on the other side of the first one. Needless to say, I went down... hard! Bike damage - bent handlebars, trashed grip, torn seat, bent rim, and broken derailleur break-away mount. My damage - broken right hand (you could actually see the break through the missing piece of flesh in my palm), broken left wrist, broken left forearm, cracked ball on the left humerous, dislocated left shoulder, grade III separation of the left AC joint, and about three square feet of road rash on my back and legs.

Fortunately, most of the bone injuries were still aligned. I was able to get by with wearing splints and slings. It hurt a lot, but I started some easy road riding about 10 days later. I've been at it every day since. It helped keep my joints from scarring stiff or with too much movement limitation. My hands and left forearm hurt a little, but aside of very audible crepidus in the left elbow, I think they're pretty much healed.

My AC separation was complete on the distal end, leaving only the attachment at the sternum. It "floats" about two inches in any direction, and has shown no sign of reconnection (as yet). I wouldn't call it painful (I've had worse!), but it's certainly uncomfortable. I've forced full range of motion exercises every day since "D+5", and can move the arm every direction the other one can do. What I don't have yet is stability. The shoulder starts to come out of joint at about 50 lbs of pressure. My doctor is all about conservative treatment, and wants to wait a year before deciding to do surgery. I'm less patient (pardon the pun!), and am researching the pros and cons of early surgical repair. Anyone with recommendations, feel free to chime in!
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