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Grade 3 AC Joint Dislocation (Separated Shoulder) 7-Sep-2009 At 11:26:29 PM jgoding

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Hi - I've had a grade 3 AC joint injury - also from a riding accident.

I elected not to have surgery and got a fairly full on strap brace thing. Given that Melbourne is home to the AFL there are tons of shoulder injuries and hence good treatment options.

So in my case the strap has turned out pretty well. I've been diligent with the rehab and now have no issues with range or strength, however I've been advised that due to the increased movement in the joint I may well see some arthritis as the joint is, and will continue to be less stable (versus having the surgery).

I went and saw a family friend who is an orthopedic surgeon and he said it was not such a clear cut choice.

Anyway I guess my point is that you can get back to full strength and motion if you choose not to go the surgery option - but it will take quite a while. When I had the brace/strap thing on (for a few months from memory) I eneded up getting some lower and mid back pains as the lack of movement turned into muscle imbalance. With a bit of time and exercise (I found swimming pretty good) this has sorted itself out.

I've found pilates to be excellent, and if you have access to a good CLINICAL pilates (i.e. people who know what they are doing - not someone in a gym who's done a 2 week course on teaching pilates) I'd strongly suggest you go along. One of the great things about Pilates (versus lots of other rehab options) is that the exercises are very tailorable and are ideal for injury recovery.

Posture will also be important - i.e. keep the shoulder back rather than let it slump forward. Also try and keep it down rather than letting your shoulders lift up. The bone that still sticks up (only a little bit now) in not at all noticeable if the shoulder is in it's correct position (i.e. low and back) but does look bad if I let my shoulder rise up and roll forward. Hope that makes sense.

If you need a clinical pilates referral in Sydney I can suggest you ask Nick Allan (who runs a great clinic in Richmond, Melbourne). http://dynamicstability.com.au/

or you could try Naomi Gibbs, Bruce or Megan at Balance Control Pilates
http://www.balancecontrolpilates.com/

PS if the pilates place you go to has never heard of a "reformer" or "Cadillac" then keep looking. These are fantastic rehab tools that will greatly assist you in your recovery.

Well good luck with your recovery. Stay strong and well balanced and you should be right.

Josef