I had a grade 3 separation 10 years ago in high school. My doctor told me I’d be fine with no complications in the future. It’s been 10 years and I now have permanent nerve damage from nerve traction and compression. Because my arm and scapula droops down, I suffered from pec minor syndrome. If I have had surgery when I could’ve, I wouldn’t have suffered long term complications a decade later. Take this into consideration to anyone reading. Not trying to make people panic but if you are an active person, this injury will most likely catch up to you into the future. The body was born with these ligaments for a reason.

Hello Trail Breaker. Yesterday Aug 23 2023 was exactly one month from doing my grade 3 AC separation. I fully agree the first 2 weeks were absolutely BRUTAL and so painful like you said and there is a feeling of little to no hope that this injury will heal on its own with physio and without getting surgery to fix it. I must say being a month from the initial incident July 26 I have improved quite a bit from doing the physio exercises diligently. With that said I know I am far away still from having this fully healed. I I discovered your initial crash video in the 1st week when I was devastated in my head from watching all these videos and surgeries on the injury ( and being completely uneducated about the injury )but noticed you got yours taped immediately with KT tape or something similar. I did not get mine taped until Day 8 and wow do i regret not getting it sooner! Not only did it help with pain but help keep the joint structure feel more secure and I can only think taping that clavicle down would help realign it a bit with however the body heals it vs no tape and letting it be really stuck up the first few weeks where a lot of the healing is going on ( piano key syndrome ) . Anyways I am going to go watch all your videos on it now and cannot believe I haven't already. When did you get yours taped again after the injury the next day? and how long did you have it taped in the first month? I just counted and I had mine taped about 2 weeks out of the first month and am thinking no more tape. How much ultra sound did you get done in the first month or 2 months do you remember by chance and do you think it helped? (Since ligaments have such crappy blood supply to begin with and then having them torn and needing that blood flow to aid in healing just wondering your opinion on that with the waves that are supposed to help bring in blood flow to the area. Maybe accupuncture would be beneficial as well. I have only got ultrasound done twice so far and that is all for treatment aside from doing the exercises. I will watch all your videos maybe you mention that in them and have been meaning to ask you and kept forgetting. Also how long were you in your sling for? Thanks again for everything and all the videos excited to check them out! This video is excellent and so awesome to see you made a full recovery basically in 4 months and 2 years later everything you are doing and how the joints are probably stronger than before which is incredible to hear!!! Great job!!! Cool you got the injury on tape (looked brutal)!. My go pro helmet cam died an hour before my injury or I would have had mine on tape as well flying off a bike somehow landing on my shoulder and nailing my head. Thank god for having a helmet on! Cheers and thanks so much Trail Breaker!

Thank you for your videos. They really helped me doing my recovery process. I'm hoping my comment can help others who are also scrambling for information and opinions just as I was when I initially injured myself. Tore my AC on dec 10th 2021 while snowboarding. Went to 3 different orthopedic surgeons and received 3 different diagnosis. 1. Grade 5 - surgery 2. Grade 3 - surgery 3. Grade 2 - do not let anyone operate on me because I will heal on my own. Went back to doctor #2 with a new MRI and x-ray and he said that surgery was not necessary, which is ideally what I was hoping for. Initially, after my injury, I had very little pain when I kept my right arm stabilized. I had about 45 degree range of motion after about 3-4 days. After a week, I was still not able to lift my arms above my head. About a week, I started PT. Week 2-3, I was back to 80-90% range of motion with slight pain during certain motions and angles. I didn't have any strength on my right arm, could barely eat with my right arm without suffering fatigue. Hard to brush my teeth and shower. Week 4-5 I am back to 100% range of motion. I rarely feel any tenderness or soreness. There are random times during the day (once or twice) where I feel a soreness or sharp pain (about 1-2 seconds) but I think about the time I had a slight shoulder impingement from benching too much and that soreness and pain lasted for 5-6 months so I do not want to worry myself with this minor pain. I have to understand that this injury was the most significant and serious injury I have ever had in my life so it will definitely take time for it to heal. Today, I feel great. I am going to the gym every single day and listening to my body on how much weight and resistance I can handle. I am doing PT about once a week. It's very important to work all of your muscles around your shoulder in order to provide strength and support for your shoulder. Very similarly to you, I feel like I am getting stronger because, ironically, this injury has pushed me to take better care of my body. I take my time working out and really focus on my form. I feel like if I continue down this road, without pushing myself too much, I will be the strongest I have ever been in my life. (maybe without the same ability/capacity to do bench presses and pull-ups as I once had). Most orthos will push for surgeries so make sure to get a few opinions. And most importantly, your body is YOURS. A doctor cannot feel what you feel. I felt that I had most of my motions and mobility back after a week so I decided to opt-out of surgery in the mean time and see how much I could recover on my own. I am so glad I did not get surgery. I have a nice little bump on my shoulder now :)

thanks for the series. Separated my shoulder 3 weeks ago in an xc race. This series has been really helpful and gives me hope

Thanks very much for the videos. I just came off my MTB and landed on my shoulder resulting in an AC dislocation Grade III, X-ray almost identical to yours. 7 days in and feel much better about my recovery now I have watch your progress. I will be able to pick up my grandchildren, hug my wife and ride my bike again. Great information, balanced and well presented. Staring my rehab exercises today. Thanks (Oh I am am probably too old to be doing what I'm doing, but still raging against the dying of the light )

Thanks so much man, my doctors just x-rayed my shoulder and determined it was ac separation. Recovery was left for me to figure out. Even though it's been more than a year since I got injured, I feel hopeful I'd be able to get back to performing similarly to before thanks to you. I really appreciate it, thank you again!

Great information! Glad you recovered fully! For me, who’s afraid of injury, this is exactly why I’m.not interested in jumps and really pushing the limits. I’d rather ride my bike for 8 months than to do physical therapy for 8 months.

So glad I found this video! I am 58 in 2 weeks and still shred as best as I can. Last Saturday I clipped my right bar end, still getting use to wide bars on my new Spectral. I did this just as I was making a tight right turn down over a rocky section and with the lose leaves now coating the trails here I sailed OTB and landed on my outreached left arm. It hurt but I did finish my ride. When I got home my shoulder was swollen on the back side a little and very sore to even touch on the front. I iced it and rested for several days and can now move it pretty well but do get some pain that reminds me that I am older and slower to heal. I learned a lot from your video and was able to find some great exercises to aid in the healing process. I think it is a bad sprain as I do not have the large bump that you have shown us. Thanks again for the video and I look forward to seeing more content from you.

First let me thank you for a terrific video! What happened to you, happened to me. Slightly different circumstances but means of impact and left shoulder identical. 16 days after the crash I’m 97% healed except for the bruising which is still disappearing. Like you, I could care less about the bump. I have full range of motion and negligible loss of strength. And, no pain! I have been an avid free free weights lifter and I believe at my age, being 63, the muscle development in my shoulder mitigated a much worse outcome. Live life to the fullest!

Thank you for the videos! Like you, I’m also a fellow pilot! Just had my first trip after the injury and it bothered me a bit. Not so much operating the overhead panel but cross body stuff and handing paperwork to the FA’s. I didn’t realize how awkwardly we twist during day to day ops! Anyways, I went for a pop fly in softball 5 weeks back, landed wrong and here we are. Grade 3 AC shoulder separation. I have full ROM and started to get back to lifting weights in the gym. The shoulder feels fine but the muscles surrounding the scapula get pretty tired and ache. I’m not sure if I should push through or scale back a bit. I’m still doing my PT exercises and added some of yours from your video. Again thanks for the videos

Man. So glad I found this video. I’m 25 and just separated my right shoulder in a freak dirt bike accident where I lost control. Still can’t seem to explain what happened except that I broke the fall and landing with my shoulder. What a relief this video has been for me. It’s been almost impossible for me to wrap my head around not having surgery to repair an injury like this. Also how come it won’t heal on its own? Ya know. My biggest thing is I want to know that I won’t have a totally bum shoulder the rest of my life. I want to know that I’ll be able to be physically active and fit. I hope to continue to enjoy all sports out doors. Especially, kayaking, climbing and all things two wheels. This video definitely gave me that. Thanks for continuing this video series and sharing your journey for all of us fellow AC separators 🤘🏻

Thanks for making this follow video. Separated my AC yesterday and your video gave me hope

God bless you for doing these videos. I really do not care how bad looking my separation is. If you can do normal activities without surgery i prefer that.

I'm 1 day in after my mtb crash and grade 3 sep. I literally winced watching you do those shoulder exercises. at this point I can't comprehend getting that function back. it hurts so much! but you have given me hope! thanks

Thank you for sharing these videos. Had a similar crash roughly 4 months ago and this has been hugely beneficial and inspiring. Keep up the good work brother!

Thank for going public on this. Damaged my ac joint a month ago and was fearing I'd never be able to get really fit again - just compromise. You've reassured me. Thanks.

Seven months ago suffered a level 3 separation on my left (non-dominant) shoulder when a car pulled in front of my motorcycle. Luckily at only ~25 mph, and I was ATGATT, so that was the worst damege to me. I did the PT, and pain is slowly decreasing but pushing a door open, pulling on a glove hurt pretty bad. If I can go back to riding MCs, I will be fine. Riding our Spyder is no problem. But, at over 71 the recovery from surgery would take a good percentage of my remaining active years. Doctor says he will do it, but it is up to me.

Man, THANK YOU so much for these videos!! They have been a blessing! 10 days ago I sustained a grade 3 to my left shoulder and yesterday I made the decision to NOT have surgery.

Just what I needed to hear, my injury was caused exactly the same way as you nearly four years ago and the thought to enquire about surgery has often come up! I'm back to riding and doing all the things I love about the sport with the only exception is I struggle with press ups... I can live with that! I'll continue to wear my battle scar with pride! Good luck bro :)

Great video. I came off my MTB a few days ago and have the same injury. It's hard to see after only a few days how I am going to fully recover from it, but this video gives me hope!

Hey, thanks for the shout out in your video! After a 2nd opinion, the orthopedists both agreed that while my separation was a Grade 3, it was an "unstable" Grade 3 and required surgery. I'm just now past the 1st week of post-op and working my way toward recovery. Thank you for your updated video on your progress.

I had the same bump on my left shoulder from an accident, the ligament totally torn, apart from 3 rib bones broken, and cracked on scapula bone. Thanks for the info on how to cope with a separated shoulder WITHOUT surgery.

Many thanks for this. I have a two week old category 4 separation after skiing and am weighing up surgery or living with however it turns out. I'm 69 so recovery time is key in my case. I'm fit and active so am in a dark place currently

I did this to my right shoulder snowboarding a couple weeks ago. I have gotten most of my mobility back. No therapy but I did see a doctor for it and am back to work and using it as I can and it gets better every day. Glad I came across your videos. Still can’t lift all the way up or all the way across but it’s getting better.

This has both helped massively and raised concerns... I had a freak low speed high impact ac separation with rotator cuff damage about 4 weeks ago on my commute ride home. .level 2/3 ac separation and have only been able to lose the sling for periods of the day in week 3...still on pain meds.... Like you I thought my summer was done and I am half way through building an extension at home which has now hit a complete stop . My ortho said there was no point in surgery and took it off the table as an option...my first physio isn't for another 4 weeks so 7 weeks after the accident....I mean going on what you have been offered...I say WTF..... I am now going private (I am in the UK) I ride bikes..snowboard...build .. play bass all activities that require full use of my shoulder... I still can't even hold a cup of coffee at full extension.... So I want to thank you for sharing your experience as, despite all injuries being different, I am clearly not being given attention quick enough to help the recovery pace I need. One thing that did make me laugh though was straight after your accident the casual way you were riding your bike back to the bike shop while filming.... At that point in my accident I was in so much pain and trauma I actually invented an entirely new language comprised of only swear words.... Thankfully I had some massive pain killers in my back pack as I suffer from bouts of severe sciatica .... Cycling and weight loss helps ease that.....haha the irony..... I couldn't even lift my arm let alone a camera..... Next week I am straight onto our health insurance.... Thanks for the videos they really have helped...we are now bump brothers....... 👍

I have been looking for an account of someone with a similar injury and I appreciate you sharing your experience! Thought it might be nice for anyone else who experienced a similar injury to hear another first hand experience: I had a rough crash at the end of January 2021 during basically my first time on a mountain bike, resulting in a grade 3 AC joint separation along with a ruptured ECU tendon subsheath in my wrist, both on my left arm. With these compounding injuries I was directed to immobilize my shoulder in a sling, while also immobilizing my wrist in a splint that prevented any supination. The waiting on this was brutal, as I was basically confined to both for almost 7 weeks. The first 5 weeks included excruciating pain around my scapula to the point I could not stand or sit upright for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. However come weeks 6 and 7 the pain began reducing to more manageable levels and by the time I was able to start weening myself out of the sling, I was then approved to begin physical therapy and I am now coming up on my 4th week and couldn't be more surprised/impressed at the progress being made. My range of motion has improved drastically (while certainly not being back to 100%) to the point of raising my arm up above my head among other milestones of motion. Unfortunately my ECU subsheath did not heal on it's own as was the hopeful outcome from immobilization, therefore surgery is likely in the coming weeks for that. The PT's and my doctor have all discussed how "on-the-fence" a grade 3 AC separation is with regard to needing surgery, but given the progress I have personally been making with therapy, along with your experience (and others) I am hopeful to continue on a positive recovery path without the need for surgical intervention. Thank you again for sharing, and I hope me sharing how my experience has been may help others as well .

Hi Thank you so much for your generous contribution. Tomorrow is my one month anniversary of my ac separation. I fortunately dont have such a vivid video to replay my clumsiness. Fell off my bike and landed on my right shoulder. Worst pain ever and I played college football. Thought for sure it was surgery as you indicated. Started PT virtually and my range of motion was normal. Now as I am adding weight to push it feels fine and when i go up a couple of pounds it goes backwards in pain and fear. All guided by PT. My question was on your experience of getting better and then regression. I appreciate your time.dan

I'm about 10 days in after a grade 5... and I wish I had seen this immediately when I couldnt even dress myself! This gives me hope that everything will be OK long-term as my doctor has suggested that surgery is not the correct option since I have most of my movement back already (somehow!) Thanks for explaining your journey with this! I'm off to watch the other videos!

Great insight, thank you! I suffered a Grade III shoulder separation 6 weeks ago. 29 y/o and my orthopedic surgeon suggested no surgery as I'm young, healthy, and recovering well. I agree with your point about committing to PT as I can see and feel improvement every day. But, at the same time, everybody's different and every injury is different so I'd also recommend going for a 2nd opinion from another orthopedic surgeon.

I’ll give you ultra long term. I had a grade 3 separation at age 18 from a snowboarding accident (no surgery)At age 42 I now have neck and back issues, including nerve pain and headaches. I have full range of motion and am very active but the long term effects of not getting it repaired have reaked havoc over the years. This also includes the early onset of arthritis in the surrounding areas including the intercostal joints.

What a great video ! It was super awesome to find your videos especially at the very beginning of my shoulder recovery journey . I feel it made my path back to the bike better keep up the good work🤘

Perfect! Just what I was looking for. I injured my self while fat biking on the snow two weeks ago. The doctor said I was maybe a level 2 1/2 to 3 out of the five. So right on the verge of requiring surgery. Like you, I prefer no surgery and a shorter downtime. So I really appreciate your input here. Helps me swing in the direction that I wanted to go anyway. I will talk it over with the doctor and perhaps share your video with him. Thank you so much. Happy new year!

I agree that you don’t always need surgery for a torn rotator or shoulder separation. The bottom line is being able to regain ROM and be pain free plus regain strength. In my case I’m getting PRP and stem cells injected. This is obviously done with physical therapy pre and post op.

Same shoulder same injury with a bump there. Sustained frommotorbike fall 2 weeks ago.thanks for the assurance sir. Feeling much better after watching this. ❤

Just underwent triple endobutton AC joint reconstruction. I was originally misdiagnosed by several different physicians as a grade 3, turned out to be a grade 5. Make sure you see a specialist. It seems like most doctors have no clue when it comes to these injuries.

I think mine is grade one as there is only bump and little bit pain once a month. I thought that I would need surgery but thanks to you man I'm in relief now 🤠

Thank you🙏 this did help. I'm still seriously worried. But your proof and that makes me feel allot better. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing this. Also, respect for the bar behind your back!

I’m 5 weeks in and just starting physio. As you said in the video, I was struggling with the idea that it’s best to leave it broken, but my doctor has explained why (surgery has its own risks). The physio has given me a rough timeline for recovery (similar to yours), so this video really helped with showing me there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for posting!

Thanks for your videos on this. I had an AC separation and this is the best information I could have found!

Hey man I ride motocross just did a level 3 yesterday and today already better I’ve herd both ways fix and leave it I’m 40 and this is a good video for people to hear real world results and advice thanks 👌🇺🇸

Thank you the video. I just separated the same AC joint. I’m going to get an appointment with an orthopedic soon. Hopefully. Makes me feel better knowing there is a chance for me not needing surgery.

Thank you for the videos. I seperated my AC similar to your in Judo last week. I have my first physical therapy appointment today but in the last 24 hours I have just been able to raise my hand above my head. Overall I'm feeling pretty confident after watching your videos and seeing my progress so far.

Great video. I gave dislocated my left shoulder many times and have always been able to rehab it in 6-8 weeks by doing the correct dumb bell exercises.

Thanks you so much for the video. You gave me hope and put my mind at ease. I've already regained almost all my range of motion but was worried i would lose strength and would have to stop boxing.

I had a huge crash on riding MTB and ended up with a broken left wrist and a level 5 separation in the right clavicle. Had surgery on both areas the same day a week after the crash. Had a surgen tell me that the clavicle was just estetic and surgery was not needed, but I wanted surgery. Even after healing without surgery its something that is just going to hurt or be uncomfortable when lifting weights or doing activities. I would have prefered a broken clavicle bone insted on ligaments but that is what I got. I'm in my 2weeks of recovery and pain is gone but movement is very stiff. Doctor told me not to move or use shoulder with force for 3 to 4 months, so that is do, I dont want to damaged the area.

Hello , I've got separation on my shoulder before 4 weeks and now I',m doing from yesterday 1st rehab+ at home ofcourse, without surgery . I hope this gonna be strong again and I wish everyone who got same problem, fast recovery and believe yourself and God.YOU ARE STRONG 🙏🤘🙌

Just separated my clavicle yesterday.. now watching videos on MTB breaks. Awesome video. Great info

I just had a grade 5 separation. Bone went through my deltoid but not my skin and was sitting on top of my Acromion. Fist Orthopedic said leave it, deal with the bump. The next three said fix it. I’m getting it fixed in ten days. Beware of bad doctors, just as common as any other profession.

4 years on and your videos are still helping people! I had the same injury with surgery (dog bone button) and recovery was longer (about double). So I wanted to confirm what you said - longer recovery with no bump - short recovery with bump - but either way same result!

Had an exact looking AC separation. Dr said surgery and non invasive approach have, arguably, the same results. Bone will still stick out with or without surgery. And surgery comes with more risk of complications. Plus I read that both invasive and non invasive treatments will eventually need surgery to correct other problems down the road.

We have ssme situation sir also happens in my left shoulder but i got this injury from my basketball game. Well the good thing for me from watching this video is that im not obliged to go for a surgery then wsit for the perfect time to heal. I have this injury since February but after 2 months of feeling i can move my arms normally but with a little pain only i am able to play again basketball and also ride my bike again. Then up to now from being conscious always asking and watching videos for a right solution to get this shoulder back in to normal looks like before it always says it has to go gor a surgery. But as i watch your video and as well as i can move may arm in a normal motion but with little pain occasionally,,, anyway i can also lift heavy weights but not as heavy as before because I'm still scared for my shoulder. After watching your video sir i got the confidence of healing without the surgery. Sorry for my english sir for being not fluent.

My vanity and love for strappy tops would choose the more invasive option if it meant no bump. Thanks for sharing your recovery with us!

Same exact injury here...I self rehab'd with the Arpwave and 6 weeks later I raced MTB national championships with no pain or weakness. That was 2014 and my shoulder is as good as new still! Rare for your ortho to not recommend surgery...the medical community is so outdated in knowledge or desire to take care of things properly. 70% or more of ortho surgeries are not necessary. I've never seen someone with this injury get surgery and ever get back to 100%.

Thanks for this video. I'm two weeks into healing from a snowboarding fall, grade 3 separation. My biggest fear is that while the pain is getting better, I'll never be able to do body weight work, etc as right now raising my arm above my head is a chore. The big ass bump I just have to learn to love as a talking point! Your video helps give reassurance that full recovery (or better) is certainly realistic with time and dedication.

Thank u so much man 😭😭 u really got me tensed out ❤️❤️

Seeing my surgeon this morning to decide on the surgery. I hope that I don’t have to have one. There’s NO way that I can not use my arm for more than 3 days let alone several months! Thanks for the vids( I’m an older MTB er too)

Thank you for this shoulder. I appreciate you making this video. I hoped to see a vid of someone having a normal life again. This super encouraged me greatly. Thank you and GOD bless you. By the way…same shoulder. Lol. I guess Left is better than right, right? LOL

Thanks for another great video update. I probably watched all the videos on type 3 AC sep that exists and yours have been some of the best. Just a quick update on my progress. Type III borderline V. My ortho doc also suggested no surgery. So 2 weeks in sling then PT. Got full range on motion and strength by 3 months. At 5 month ortho doc green light for full activity. So when I tested it with heavy landscaping etc. It failed me and I tore my anterior deltoid and minor tear of Supraspinatus muscle(most common injuried rotator cuff muscle). So another 2 months of pain and rehab. It’s better now at 7-8 months but the whole thing is very unstable. Both vertical and horizontal movement and lots of clicking and popping still. I can use it but I don’t trust it and it hurts like 2-3 pain. At this point I have 3 sets or Xrays, an MRI and lots of $$$$ spent. Unfortunately I think surgery might be my only option left. 46 y/o male who just wants to get back to before accident activities with confidence. I am glad yours worked out. I have a brother-in-law with same injury and he is 20 years no surgery and no issues. Like you said each injury is unique and I gave the conservative recovery an honest try. Thanks again for all the great video feedback. It really helps. Stay young as long as you can.

Glad you were able to recover without the need for surgery or limitation to your ROM. I was in a similar situation but aesthetical, mine looked a lot worse. And my entire shoulder was slumping. Also, you should always consult with various surgeons because I got different approaches and end result prognostic from each one. The one I went with assured me that my range of motion would not be limited, and that his approach would maximize my chances of a full recovery. I'm 44 btw.

Thanks alot for this video. I separated mine about 4 hours ago. Still need to follow up but I don't think mine will require surgery. And unless it does I'm just gonna do what you did. As I sit here and sulk knowing that archery season starts in 6 days, I'm hoping to not miss the whole season. This video gave me hope. That I may be healed in time for the rut!

That was great . Sitting here 4 weeks out from MTB crash, Physiotherapy will start next week now ribs are less painful.

Thanks a lot for this video . Help a lot. The same injury 7 months ago.no surgery. Now i m back to my karate training And lifting weight as before. Just the bump remaind but litle by litle i m getting usted to it. Good luck to everybody .you Will be ok.

damn, I didn't know you had the crash on camera! That looked gnarly!

Partial tear of ligaments or dislocation can be recovered but not total tear unless surgery... Better have an MRI if pain is severe and if swelling persists for long

Thank you for this video. I exactly had the same accident two weeks ago as you have plus a stitches on my face. My left shoulder AC ligament was torn that leaves a very obvious “bump”, yet im not sure what grade my AC separation is. My ortho doctor says that this is something not so serious because i can still go back to what i normally do without the surgery. But man, i think im about to go crazy because of the bump, that i am so bothered about it whether or not it will give me problem as time pass by. And then i saw your video which gives me hope that i can go back to the sports i love and the things i normally do without going thru surgery. Kuddos to you!

Thank you for making these videos. What a tremendous help. Are you able to sleep on your sides again?

I have a level 3 separation and at the same time smashed my pelvis. The shoulder has been the hardest and 3 months on it's still not right. Like you I now have an experienced physio and strength coach and I am getting stronger but still a long way to go and can't rush as I've only been walking on two legs for a week ✌️

After an accident in 2016 I sepetated my right ac joint. Doc advised I see a physio or similar and this week I finally got around to making an appointment.

After watching your videos I'm frustrated. I have grade 3 separation and saw orthopedic PA 5 days after my accident. She didn't prescribe any physical therapy - except for arm swings - until 9 weeks after my accident! Now I'm wondering if I missed out on my recovery by delaying physical therapy this long. Right now I'm in week 5 of physical therapy. My biggest concern now is the "clunking" I experience moving my shoulder to various positions. Not sure if this will eventually go away.

Thanks for your video. This really encourages me. I also fell down from my road bike on March 17, 2024, it's been 4 months, and my AC joint is separated, grade 2-3. I can ride my bike after 3 months but I cannot ride it over 25km/h, which means I cannot hold tight to my handlebar. I'm doing some exercises with my 1.5kg db (I'm a female, 28 years old). The bump does not bother me, but I hurts if I push it. And it cannot push my arm back or down, it will hurt a lot.

Just watched your videos on the separation - very impressed and so well done////

Thank you for the video really appreciate it .. I am in the same boat as yourself but with my right shoulder.. 2 weeks n still on the sling 🙈🙈#let’s go

I'm a bodybuilder......Even i have a dislocated left shoulder..... I'm doing bench press and doing heavy chest workouts........ No issues so far

Thanks dude I’m rocking my bump with pride 😎

I had AC Separations on my left and my right shoulder, with the one on the left being far more severe. After 3 Months I still was in pain and could not use my shoulder at all. So I opted for surgery. Two years later I injured the right shoulder. This time I recovered way better and I went without surgery. I played Running Back for almost 20 Years, most of them AFTER the injuries. ;-) So I had it both ways, and I feel like I made the right decision on either side. Both shoulders held up to the abuse of playing football. Like you said, it depends on your situation and always consult a doctor. :-)

What grade or catagory separation did you have? I fell off my mountain bike just over 20 year's ago and had a really bad cat 5 and other muscle ruptured and then 3 following surgeries in my local hospital which made it at least 10x worse it led to a medical negligence case I had 5 more surgeries at another hospital first of which was a large reconstruction with bone ligaments and muscle grafts as the first hospital had removed a lot of tissues, I was put in a body cast for 3mths cos they wanted everything to take and try to get it to heal in a certain way as pre recon my shoulder plade had dropped an rotated by 5cm, I can't thank the consultant enough for what he did for me and the physio's when I returned back home to have follow up care that is were my problems continued with my local physio just didn't do what was asked for in post operative treatment which led to a trauma induced frozen shoulder, I then tried to do more physio myself as my local wasn't doing anything and I snapped a titianeim screw through metal fatigue which led to the next op cos of how and where it had snapped and following that my local physio still didn't do what was being asked of them which led to me trying my best to get the shoulder moving etc and that stretched out some of the reconstruction so another op to tighten certain things and muscle grafts and then back home and more physio and yet again not a lot of input from my local hospital they were a massive headache in the hole treatment of my shoulder, and again things didn't go as planned which led to another reconstruction and a paper being written and published in medical journals as a new way of AC joint reconstruction and this time I travelled back and forth to them so they could monitor the progress of the post op treatment and physio, which was a 500 mile round trip every 4wks and a 3wk in house rehabilitation at 8wks post op so that they could work with the shoulder daily and I couldn't thank them enough for that final op was to remove the hook plate a year later, and I got a stable shoulder now but I'm in constant pain because of all the trauma through 1 scar and so much in the hole shoulder region having scar tissue and nerve damage from what my local hospital had done, I'm about 22yrs down the line now and have arthritis in the area now as well and the pain levels are horrible I'm under the pain clinic for treatment and it's a management situation now I'd give anything to not be in this amount of pain and have been told its a case of living with it now, and a lot of the problems were made worse by the the treatment of my local hospital at the beginning

Thank you for your videos. Really helps brother.

What a great video! I also separated my shoulder and it was also my left as well but it was during a car accident. I went to PT for month it didn’t help. I’m a year in my shoulder is still bothering me. I cant sleep on it to long or it bothers me. It makes my collar bone hurt. I’m set to get an MR arthrogram to see if it’s anything else.

Thank you very much for your valuable information. 🙏 be safe

Also had a near-surgery ac sep in October pole vaulting. I’m doing the exact same excersizes! Make sure the pt place checks for rotated/stuck ribs. I had 5 of them under my wing one causing immobility in some spots

Thanks bro, I suffered from AC joint separation two month ago, no surgery and recover pretty good today

thank you so much from this video, helps me a lot

Very informative brotha, thank you.

Glad I came across your videos, my friend. I needed this boost. Got my injury downhill. I think I missed it, if it was mentioned, did you suffer from vertigo afterwards? Thank you.

Least invasive options aren't always bad. Surgery has it's own risk and can cause more trauma to the area. Broken collar bones, torn achilles tendon, torn meniscus', even torn ACLs are not operated on all the time and with prescribed physical therapy, people do get back to their normal activities.

I have the same grade 3 instability where my clavicle pops out like one inch when lifting my shoulder. No pain. Also from MTB accident two years ago. But I REALLY worry about crashing on it again...is the risk much greater now that your joint is weaker? Like the clavicle could just get shoved WAY out of place if crashing again.

Same injury man… actually going through it right now. One question, do you know why this bump happens and stays after the ac joint is reconnected?

Thanks for the interesting video! Does muscle building help to get the bump a little smaller?

Thank u for ur videos Same injury

Thanks again I'm following the progress.

Hello everyone, question for the host and anyone experiencing AC separation, did your CC ligaments tear or only AC? Did the capsule broke at AC ligament? Did anyone find a away to force your distal clavicle down to attempt to put it back in place so it can heal? As far as I was explained ligaments can heal if they are close enough to each other. Thank you

thanks for ur video 🙂im on 20 days after my ac3 shoulder (no surgery) .on my 17th day,,after woke up, did a little movement (slow exercise for my affected arm) -~ i heard “pop” sound (no pain yet) when i gently raise my arm-(i am sitting on the bed ) .I dont have any proper physical therapy yet but I can raise my arm slowly . should i stop /avoid raising my arm and not to do it for d moment? did you experience this and what did you do.

Thank you, I'm at the 3 months mark right now. Sports medicine has recently told me to start using the shoulder again as normal and I just keep feeling fatigue and soreness by the end of the day, the same kind that I would feel if I spent all day hiking/snowboarding. At what point does this soreness go away?

It's good to see that you uploaded this video, I want and need to see this video, because, my AC bone is also broken exactly you sir, i too exactly fall off from cycle like you on 29/4/23...and searching video's to treatment and find your video and today I went to Clinic and take X-rays of shoulders I'm from Indian village so my English is weak My question is to you sir that after recovery from pain can I lift heavy weight..??

Thanks for sharing this video. I did a similar injury to my ac joint when playing rugby about 10months ago, haven’t seen a physio or a doctor ever since due to money issues, but the joint looks and feels disconnected from my collarbone similar to yours. would I need surgery?

I had a grade 5 shoulder explosion lol took two surgeries and like 2 years to heal.

Aerated ac joint about 8 weeks ago grade 2. It has improved a lot but I’m getting side effects such as very tight upper chest + impinged clavicle and my scapula grinds against my ribs. I don’t know how to get rid of it I feel like grade 2 shouldn’t be that severe

I m a road biker myself and had 3rd degree AC dislocation same shoulder; I have more pain under my armpit where the rib is located, so I was never comfortable wearing a sling. Almost 2 weeks passed and I have already almost full range of motion. Nobody understands though that bump is staying there in the shoulder :))

can it be reconstructed later? you said ac joint reconstruction is an option for the ligament. Is that only when its injured or can it be done later?