Distal clavicle excision surgery / treatment for "weightlifters shoulder"

Has anyone else had this surgery? I'm coming up on a year post-op and it still sucks, very limited in what I can do.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I'm active and otherwise healthy and didn't expect to be out of commission this long.

 

Brief history: my AC joint had been getting more painful, doc said it's common to have osteolysis, tried cortisone injections, ended up doing arthroscopic resection with the best shoulder surgeon around where he shaved 1/4" off the end of my collar bone. Did all the physical therapy, got the PT t-shirt. Then the healing seemed to flatline.

 

Did you have this? I had it years ago and my shoulder is stronger than it was before the surgery and stronger than the one that didn't have surgery. Only problem is it gets sore really quick throwing any kind of ball.

 

Yeah, I just passed 1 year post surgery. Glad to hear you've seen such good results. I still have lots of pain when I use it & no luck building strength back up in the chest. What kind of rehab did you do? Any advice?

 

I honestly don't really remember what kind of rehab I did it was so long ago. I guess I should clarify that it came back stronger with time, but one thing that definitely changed was how I worked out my chest. Barbell bench press is out of the question, but dumbell is fine. Once I figured that out, my chest got back up to good strength.

Overhead press strength came back good too.

 

That seems pretty normal from what I've read of other people's experience. Doc said my case is "unusual"... I still can't handle >10 push ups or run >1 mile because of the AC joint pain.

 

Yeah that doesn't sound good man, sorry to hear it. Have they done another mri or xray? Even though I had good results with mine, my GP and my mom who is a nurse both felt like the surgeon rushed to have the surgery done as he was notorious for it and basically about to retire.

 

MRI, a few X-rays, a couple cortisone shots ... they can’t figure it out. Do you know what caused yours?

 

Heard a crunch and had a stabbing pain in my shoulder when I was doing bench press one day. Took some days off and then got back at it, but ignored the dull, aching, constant pain for over a year until my parents finally made me get it looked at. I wish I had just rested it the first time.

I've separated my left AC joint too, but I know not to push it when I feel it and get a lump on it. I must have weak joints.

 

Man, wait till we start getting old, we're gonna be in trouble

 

Update: still dealing with this. I went to another surgeon today who confidently diagnosed "rotator cuff impingement" which is apparently a common companion to weight lifter's shoulder.

He shot me up with cortisone under the shoulder blade (subacromial), hopefully that'll help.

List of what I've tried so far:

• corticosteroid injection in AC joint
  
• surgery - distal clavicle excision
  
• physical therapy - full regimen for a few weeks, did all my homework exercises
  
• another cortisone shot in AC joint
  
• physical therapy again till they admitted they can't help
  
• consulted with 2nd surgeon
  
• specialized physical trainer for a few weeks
  
• acupuncture (and I hate needles)
  
• consulted with 3rd surgeon
  
• cortisone shot under acromion

Next up: the phys therapy exercises after the shot kicks in to strengthen the rotator cuff. Here's hoping.

 

I had a minor rotator cuff repair, Acromian process trim, and a rotator cuff tightening.
I was 25 years old surgery was done in April 2016.
I had dislocated my shoulder twice and it basically stretched everything out and caused some minor tearing.

I’m power lift as a hobby. I just passed two years post surgery. I feel like two years was the point at which I could honestly say I was back to normal function where I can do what ever I want and no longer have to be worried about ROM or strength in that shoulder.

The first year was rough. A lot of limitations and painful therapy but I got through.

Two peices of advice I have for people who get shoulder surgery:
1. See a surgeon who ONLY works on shoulders. Not someone who does it all.

2. Get a very experienced and educated PT and suck it up and do the therapy.

Therapy will be the most painful and labor intensive part of the surgery. Its gonna hurt before its gonna get better.
I think a lot of people pussy out on therapy and that causes them to be perminently impaired because they never gain back ROM and strength.

I am not a fan of steriod injections. They actually cause damage to cartilage and other tissues leading to a greater chance of problems down the road. If they aren’t working, stop doing them, especially if you are young.

Are you seeing a PT regularly?
Typically they will be the best person to advise you on therapy and whether or not injections or surgery is a good option. Don’t see just docs. They ain’t got a clue of how to fix anything via any other way than by cutting and poking.

When you have a shoulder injury your primary treater should be a PT. Because with shoulder injuries your going to be doing PT the rest of your life. Eventually it will be all at home with no help but you’ll be doing it the rest of your life.

Just curious what your PTs tell you about your pain and healing process? Do they think its odd or that this is typical for your injury?

 

Look into 'PRP' therapy treatment, you may benefit from it.