Grade 3 Shoulder Separation

Separated my shoulder (grade 3) this past weekend. Looking at two options:
1. No surgery and live with the bump.
2. Surgery to repair join. (6 months for full recovery)

I am still very active in sports and still want to continue,

At 50 I am wondering if it worth going through with the surgery and was wondering if anyone else has been through this.and have any advice they would be willing to share

Thanks
Tom

I know a 55+ yr old guy that didn't have surgery. As an electrician, over a year later he has pain and trouble raising his arms to the ceiling to install lights. I would get it fixed -you aren't 80 and you don't have a ton of co-morbidities, right? (obese, heart disease, smoke, cancer, poor attitude, etc.....).

You make it sound like the options are 6 months of pain post-op or no pain and a bump. How are you now? Good range of motion, full use, pain-free, and only a bump? Probably not. That will continue ALONG with your "bump" if not repaired. The repair will not return it to the way it was -you ripped it up. There are risks and costs of repair, but it's your best chance of returning to near-normal function and yes, you will have issues with pain down the road with either surgery or none.......

What are your doctors' and your families thoughts? I would hate to think you are leaving your medical care up to an internet vote of boating enthusiasts.......    At least ask Doc Overby or DocDoc....... Or even better - talk to the surgeons that will do it so you can weigh the pros and cons.... most importantly, if married, do what your wife says!

Steve
(Surgery enthusiast)

I tore the labrum in my right shoulder last year (44 years old). Dr said surgery would absolutely fix it, but I could try PT first as the tear wasn't too bad. My pain level was 8-10 when I moved a way it didn't like and the strength in my right shoulder and arm was severely diminished.

I did PT twice a week for 12 weeks and I was good to go. I had to build my strength back up, but the pain was gone and I had about 95% range of motion.

I'm a huge wuss, so I'm all for trying less invasive options first whenever possible.

I have had good results with PT, not specifically shoulder though. Surgery = scar tissue so exhaust non-trauma options 1st.

Trick is to do the exercises at home like your supposed to. it is too easy to slack off.

I have bumps on both. 52 now and bumps have been there 10 years on one and 12 on other. Dr said both times I could try fixing them but opted for not. So far so good but I do stay active and also consider myself fortunate. Good luck with whatever you decide.

td_in_nc wrote: Separated my shoulder (grade 3) this past weekend. Looking at two options: 1. No surgery and live with the bump. 2. Surgery to repair join. (6 months for full recovery) I am still very active in sports and still want to continue, At 50 I am wondering if it worth going through with the surgery and was wondering if anyone else has been through this.and have any advice they would be willing to share Thanks You WERE 50!!!! Happy Birthday Tom!!! Tom

When I was Footing a lot at age 33 the falls hurt both my shoulders. I failed to release the handle in a BF crash and the fast hard pull jerked both shoulders hard. Being young and dumb I never went to a Doctor for it.   Could not lift either arm over my head for about 2 years. Could not throw a football or baseball for about 4 years.   I started lifting light weights and then progressed to heavy weights and they came around and have been fine since, nearly 30 years later.   Full range of motion and abilty to throw came back. Not sure if the time to heal 2-4 years helped or if I should have entered rehab earlier. Mine might have been muscle tears rather than actual shoulder damage like you have..

I tore my rotator cuff and labrum 7 years ago in an auto accident. I was 54 at the time and my Dr ask at my age what did I want to be able to do. I said anything I wanted to. He said go for the surgery. They had to put pins in to reattach everthing. Very painful recovery and PT process, but if I had it to do over I would make the same decision. That shoulder is better than my other one and I have no pain or problems with it. I did have a great surgeon here in Atlanta that told me the same thing Steve mentioned above. This wasn't an injury that would heal back and be fine. The PT allows you to build up the muscles around the injury and will help you cope with it. Just be prepared to sleep sitting up for a while. You will not like laying down on it.

Thanks for all the responses- I appreciate this site as people are always helpful.   

I am going to go the route of going the route of PT and if all goes well avoid surgery, Definitely have a noticeable step in my shoulder.

The injury really seems to be limited to my AC joint (hopefully nothing else is damaged). So if all goes well all I will have is a bump and residual pain (which I am use to as I had 2 surgeries on the same shoulder 25 years ago when I dislocated the shoulder)   That was a long and painful recovery. The surgery to repair this would not have been nearly as bad.   

Todd - I did read about your accident,   I hope your recovery progresses well, just keep doing what docs tell you and try to keep a positive attitude.   

But you can see it if you have a strong stomach

Hurns season-ender ankle injury