Anyone sprain an AC joint?

I did it snowboarding a couple weeks ago and have been seeing a PT and doing rehab and all that stuff. But was just curious how well you came out of it? Im 4 weeks out and played basketball the other night and first play of the game reached for a ball and had to quit it hurt so bad. Anyways let me know how you faired with yours

depends how bad the strain is, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, if its minor then you will be fine, i fell of a giant A Frame about 12ft arms totally out stretched and completely sperated my right shoulder or A/C joint same thing, my arm was pretty much hangin off, if yours is just a minor strain then just ice it hard and aggressively, then move to heat after a week or so, dont do much, they may suggest a sling for a few weeks to, treat ment is pretty mixed on 1st degree, I had to have full reconstruction using a hamstring ligiament, thats the extreme end, 2nd is usually more painfull and can take mths to heal, if you need any more info let me know, im a total pro at AC problems now.

I have 3rd degree AC separation in my right shoulder. I didn't going to a doctor til about a year after I actually did it. I went to a shoulder specialist and their reaction went something like this...."Ummm you know when you move your shoulder that way your collar bone dislocates from where its supposed to be. You tore at least 3 ligaments." I was a little surprised. But from what I remember it didn't take me much longer than a month to get over it. But I think thats cause my ligaments didn't really need to heal cause well, I tore them in half and I wasn't really using them any more.

I never got surgery cause my doc said as long as my joint is stable, I don't need to risk it. I think I injured mine some time in say October and was ready to snowboard mid December when the season started.

1st Degree seperation in Dec 07'. Couldn't do anything but snowboard and skate (and even that was stupid) for 4 months. I can do everything now but I still feel it. Every case is different. I think mine haunted me so much since I had rotator cuff damage.

Good luck and do PT; I've been injured everywhere, and the shoulder is the worst.

(Message edited by Blabel on February 10, 2009)

Hit a kink rail in Park City about 5 years back and had a nasty fall. I landed directly on my right shoulder. This happened in March and I had a surfing trip in Costa Rica planned in June. By the time June rolled around, I felt that it had healed enough to allow me to surf. Unfortunately for me, a week before I was supposed to go, I was horseplaying around, fell backwards, caught put my hands back to catch myself, and then broke my shoulder ONE week before my trip. It sucked but you don't need a shoulder enjoy a beautiful place.

As for right now, I don't feel too many repercussions of the injury. For a while it was hard to throw anything (frisbee, ball, etc.) The only way it still affects me today is working out. Too much weight on the benchpress and I can feel the strain. It also left me with a bone that protrudes outward further than most.

(Message edited by tcaz on February 11, 2009)

Thanks for all the input guys! Mine was diagnosed as a first degree but my PT is thinkin it was pry a 2nd degree now. Im heading to Florida in a month and like i said just basketball messed it up a little the other night so im worried I wont be able to ride down there! This totally sucks! And I absolutely hate snowboarding so now im really upset about this thing. I dislocated my left shoulder 2 summers back and its finely where it needs to be but now I got this problem... ERRRRRRRRRRRRRG!!!!

Did your PT or Dr. give you stretches to do at home?

I had a 1st degree seperation a few years back. The Dr. put in a brace for a week, and I babied it. Then he gave me a bunch of stretches, which I did twice a day for 10 more days after. I think that was crucial to getting rannge-of-motion back and how I healed so quick.
I was snowboarding again after 3 weeks and wakeboarding at 4 weeks out. It will still ache a little if I make sudden uncontrolled movements with it, but other than that it's been pretty good.

Good luck, hope you are good to go to FL next month.

Dudes, been through a lot of sports type injuries and you definitely want to find out how bad it is first before doing any kind of movement (MRI and/or X-ray). Then and only then would you want to move the thing around. I agree with andrea, movement is the key to getting it better quicker but don't over do it. If you do, you will be in the PT's office and training room for months. Trust me, I've been there. Upper extremity injuries typically don't get a lot of blood flow, especially to the joints, so healing time can be slow. Be patient, take your time, you do not want this to be chronic.

Got what I believe to be a 2nd degree sprain back in Late Nov. playing beer league hockey w/ no shoulder pads. Didn't miss any weekly games, but was hurting good for a month, no weight lifting for sure. I started doing p90x 2.5 wks ago, and it's still a little sore, but i'm able to do all exercises. Good luck, and I recommend staying out of the park or it will never heal properly.

Oh ya forgot to mention that bench press is a big no no for a while, it will put a tonne of stress on the joint.