Down and out

[MonkeyBear]

Well here is the news. I was at a local park just going out for an hour. Thought it would be a good idea to hit a couple of jumps to pass the time. Well after about my third go around, I bailed over the bars. Landed on my head and left shoulder and then rolled like two times. Got up quick and felt like my shoulder was hurt, it was. After X-rays, Left shoulder AC joint second degree seperation. In other words, out of commision for at least a month. Which is not dope since I am a newly hired firefighter that is on probation. Worst part is that I just got my New Cannondale Prophet MX 1.

Any of you mags have this injury, before?

[CS]

Had the same separation a few years back playing tackle football on the beach.

The Orthopedist specialist basically said to not do anything for a month or so, and it hurt like hell the first week. Our chiropracter got wind of my injury and said to come in so he could check it out. After some poking and prodding, he put his full weight into the shoulder, did his chiro suff, and it immediately felt better. About 2 weeks after that, I was schralpin Brian Head singletrack with only minor discomfort.

It probably would have healed even faster if I hadn't gone in a week after it happened. Good luck healing up man.

[kidwoo]

Yup. Flowtron pushed me down while I was peacefully trying to ride my bicycle and separated my shoulder.

For what it's worth, I was skiing on (with?) it a week later. I wasn't rasslin' fellow buff firefighters in manly shows of manliness hazing however.

I also wasn't pulling up on handlebars anytime soon. (bout a month)

[rideit]

For what it's worth, I was skiing on (with?) it a week later. I wasn't rasslin' fellow buff firefighters in manly shows of manliness hazing however.

Woo, you are getting brave.

[kidwoo]

Woo, you are getting brave.

Is monkeybear a big guy?

I can just punch him in the shoulder..........for a month at least.


jeez I was just kidding in regards to his new job


sort of

[wintermittent]

Sorry to hear about the injury. I had a similar grade III AC joint sep a couple years ago.

Like woo sez, you won't be pulling up on the bars or engaging in any firefighter man-love anytime soon, but if you make it clear to your doc and PTs that you're willing to be vigilant with strengthening and recovery, you'll be back on the bike in no time.

Go crazy with the resistance bands and rotator cuff strengthening. Also, my ortho let me start running as soon as the pain allowed, and I found that helped strengthen and stabilize the shoulder area as well.

[MonkeyBear]

Sorry to hear about the injury. I had a similar grade III AC joint sep a couple years ago.

Like woo sez, you won't be pulling up on the bars or engaging in any firefighter man-love anytime soon, but if you make it clear to your doc and PTs that you're willing to be vigilant with strengthening and recovery, you'll be back on the bike in no time.

Go crazy with the resistance bands and rotator cuff strengthening. Also, my ortho let me start running as soon as the pain allowed, and I found that helped strengthen and stabilize the shoulder area as well.

Just went to Ortho Dr. today, dude was saying like 6-9 months for full recovery, I can't imagine it taking that long, It happened 3 days ago, how long did you wait before you started strength training, He said I couldn't really injury it any more, it is just the pain factor to deal with. I am ready to freakin get back at it now, but I know it is better to give it a little rest. Oh well.. I have been watching all kinds of MTB movies and it ain't helping....

[kidwoo]

Yeah cut it out with the movies....

Okay....I'll admit this now. When I separated my shoulder I was in denver for work and brought my hardtail because I wanted to hit up gunbarrel, lake arbor and the fix jumps. Flowtron took me out the first day I was there. So this was sunday. On wednesday, I said screw it and went out to lake arbor and jumped some little stuff. My shoulder killed and I could feel it moving around in unholy ways. Stupidity brought me there and I admitted it and left. So 2 days later I go back to gunbarrel in boulder. I took one run through the medium line and just about cried it hurt so bad. I didn't ride again for about 2-3 weeks and even then it was just mellow xc riding.

I don't know how much worse yours is but that's what I dealt with.

[wintermittent]

Just went to Ortho Dr. today, dude was saying like 6-9 months for full recovery, I can't imagine it taking that long, It happened 3 days ago, how long did you wait before you started strength training, He said I couldn't really injury it any more, it is just the pain factor to deal with. I am ready to freakin get back at it now, but I know it is better to give it a little rest. Oh well.. I have been watching all kinds of MTB movies and it ain't helping....

I started PT two days post-accident. Resistance band stretches and no-weight ROM excercises. Get your hands on a stationary trainer if you're concerned about cardio and you're jonesin' to be on the bike... THEN put on the MTB videos.

Your mileage may vary, but I was trail running after week 1 (again, the running was VERY helpful), back on my road bike at week 2, and back on the mountain bikes at week 6. Believe me, you'll stay away from jerky/pull movements and ride like you're not going to fall and re-injure. Nevertheless, expect gobs of pain, crunchy noises, and weirdness. It should get progressively better about 6-8 weeks out, but unfortunately this is one of those injuries that just never gets back to 100%.

Bottom line - Get going NOW, keep moving and strengthening... No rest unless ordered. Good luck, you can do it.