Enduro Crash Separated Shoulder Grade 5: Surgery vs No Surgery

Took a pretty bad digger to that head/ shoulder, looking for some opinions on surgery vs no surgery for the AC joint
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[@TrailBoundco]

Let me know if you have separated your shoulder and how it went. I'd be particularly interested to know if any grade 5 guys ended up doing surgery or not and how that's going because it is such a big separation.

[@chronicblend5334]

I've dislocated my shoulder many times. Take it from me have the surgery. My shoulder just kept coming out easier and easier. I woke up one night and it was out of place. I sneezed one night and it came out. Since I had surgery, I haven't had a single problem with it. Do yourself a favor and get the surgery!

[@miken8009]

I separated mine completely like yours 21 years ago when I was 30. When I went to the ER I asked the doctor what to do. He said, “if you were in the NFL we would put you into surgery, but you are not so you wont”. I have only had a couple instances in the past 21 years where it affected me. I only struggle with lifting things over my head on occasion. Aside from that my shoulder works great. They didn’t call it a “grade” when i did it. They called it a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree separation. When the doctor told me it was 3rd degree I thought it was the most mild separation, but it turns out it’s not, it is the highest level like yours. I still ride a lot today and it doesn’t bother me. I lift weights and stay active and for the most part it’s good at 51 years old. This year back in May I broke my ulna at a track and had some pretty major surgery to get it back together and the separated shoulder was much easier to recover from than my arm. My two cents are that you are young and will heal and there is ALWAYS risk with surgery. Mine works fine so I’d say see how you heal and get your shoulder stronger and get back on the bike without the surgery.

[@jeffbeeh3389]

Hey guy , just some info on shoulder seperations. Both of mine are sperated. First one when I was in my 30's/ second one about 5 years later. Dr's wanted to put the shoulders back in place. They said that if I didn't I would eventuly not beable to raise my arms above my head. Me being a dumb ass thought , I can lift them fine why would I get them repaired. Plus I'm still riding and if I were to crash I could seperate them again. So I left them the way they were. I'm a Chevy mechanic and I remember pulling on a wrench and felt something pop in my right shoulder. It was the tendon. along with that the bicep dropped . The same thing with the left years later. Still riding offroad in Baja until about 2 years ago when I noticed that I still could lift both arms over my head but with a lot less strength. Now I'm not able to lift much weight over my head at all. I've lived with the droopy shoulders and some pain all these years but I never untill lately have had that problem. I can't say what the outcome of having or not having the surgery would be. This is what I have experienced in my life. Oh and I should tell you my birthday this december will be my 80th. I'm selling my honda rally and this will probably be it for offroad riding. NOT !!! RIDE OR DIE.

[@user-ou6ol2js9n]

I just walked out of my 10-week post op for separated shoulder, grade 3+. 15 weeks after injury. Mobility is about 70%, have started PT, and cleared to work with weight as long as there’s no pain. Mobility is limited by atrophy to the rotator cuff, not letting the shoulder joint work properly. I wish I could’ve had the surgery sooner. I’m ready to ride road bikes in 2 weeks, but need to build muscle before hitting the trails. If I could recommend, get the surgery asap to limit atrophy and have a quicker recovery. Best of luck!

[@maffil356]

I was involved in quite a spectacular RTC, my mate had managed to stop in front of me his brother had already gone between a car and a van and all of a sudden I lost all rear break pressure (all on mountain bikes) and I took my mate through the back window at about 30mph. Aged 27 I didn't feel it until I went to pick up my bike when I got to the hospital they thought it was going to be a dislocated shoulder (they hadn't assessed me, rushed me for xrays) when the adrenaline wore off the pain was INSANE! I made it home and got lots of rest. Queue a 3 week wait to see the surgeon (NHS) it was grade 5 and he recommended I go straight for surgery....I had a 2 week wait then a cancelled surgery in all I waited 3 weeks, surgeon apologized cause he had to cut a lot of scar tissue away. I went for the nerve block and there's no way I wouldn't just make sure you have something around you to pull you up - You''ll need someone around you for 2 days straight. I just want to say it wasn't done right, the tape used was too long and my collar bone is now sticking out pretty much the same amount sometimes it just feels just full of dull pain that's not quite pain - Fix it asap just make sure your surgeons decent.

[@TheToddOrr]

I tore the subscapularis tendon completely off, and a tear halfway through the supraspinatus tendon back in college. I chose to do nothing. The subscapularis tendon eventually dried up like a piece of jerky, and was useless, and could not be reattached. I lived with it partially dislocating numerous times a year for the next 30 years. I got by and dirt biked and sledded, but it was always an issue and limited certain activities. Last fall, 32 years later, I hit a wash and completely dislocated it again, tearing the rest of the Supraspinatus and biceps tendon off. So surgery reattached the biceps and Supraspinatus tendons with the drilled holes and ceramic sutured barrels you mentioned. Since my subscapularis tendon had dried up 30 years ago, I had the pec tendon transfer done across the front, to replace the subscapularis tendon. Very major surgery with an 8” scar. 6 weeks in a sling. A couple months of PT and rehab. Back biking at 6 months post surgery. Feels very strong, and no more partial dislocations like I had for thirty years. If I had a redo, I would have done surgery asap, instead of suffering for 30 years…

[@TrailBoundco]

That sounds pretty brutal! I had a MRI done and luckily the tendon that holds the shoulder in place is still good and not compromised at all so I don't think the dislocated shoulder thing is a problem but for me, at the same time I am afraid that because the arm is going to move around so easy that it might end up tearing that tendon much easier if I were not to get the surgery to reattach the arm to the collarbone. Did you feel like yours got progressively worse or once you started riding again was it pretty similar throughout the years until you had a really bad accident?

[@Jrod_FPV]

Heal quickly, rooting for your quick return to ripping at 100% ! No experience to share but some great stories so far on the comments. You've built a quality following!

[@cantseehimliam7211]

The way you explained it, surgery seems like the best option by far if you can afford it.

[@PrimalEnduro]

Dude, you are young and have a long riding career ahead of you. Given the extent of your tear, I would lean towards fixing it now. You'll likely wait a bunch only to find out you need to fix it..... On the other hand, you could wait it out and see...it's a gamble either way as surgery is never 100% certain. But I don't think you are going to be back on the bike in 8 weeks...You might feel ready but that's not a lot of time for soft tissue to heal. I haven't separated my shoulder, but had massive rotator cuff surgery. Prior to the surgery I waited 8 weeks thinking it was strong enough and reinjured it on the first ride out and had to go get the operation and hit the reset button on the healing/rehab process. If you get it fixed now you'll be back for the spring riding....I wish you a speedy recovery whichever way you choose!

[@m.e.9438]

Separated shoulder happens to many pro level athletes and almost never get repaired surgically. I separated my shoulder in 2017 and dealt with arthritis / discomfort for about a year. I was back to riding in about 4-6 weeks. Now I feel 90% . I would stick to physical therapy first. Orthopedic surgeon will always recommend surgery. Many many people live with a surgery called a distal clavicle resection … cutting off the end of the clavicle after injury/arthritis . Even if you end up having the surgery you will likely develop arthritis in the AC joint from the clavicle and scapula rubbing together since you no longer have the ligaments to stabilize . The surgery you’re talking about is just going to tie down the clavicle but will not help the arthritis that will come next. Surgery is incredibly invasive and carries additional risk. I would recommend strengthening your shoulders fixing your posture… shoulders back and down … not rounding forward . Just my 2 cents

[@peskymcnuggets3357]

I have a few friends that have injured their shoulders and the ones that have had. Surgery are all good and the ones who haven’t had surgery still have ongoing problems, have the surgery

[@singletrackmoto8760]

Separate mine 22 years ago. Looked at my X-ray and look really similar to yours. Doctor I saw said I was young and strong, wear your figure 8 brace as long as possible and no surgery. I have no problems really except if I sleep on it on a hard surface for a long time. I ride just as hard as I did back then. Just took a digger last week directly on it, it’s all black and blue but doesn’t hurt a bit. It’s already separated lol.

[@d.brayman3165]

Get it fixed now. I waited so long to fix mine, it had to be replaced with the ball and socket reversed. Result...I'll never throw overhand again and riding takes significant effort. Before you think it might be just me and low tolerance to adversity...I've had18 orthopedic surgeries, I'm 55 years medium and I started my dirt bike life a year and a half ago. Besides, I enjoy your videos and like your gear. Get the shoulder fixed so you can do more of both...my 2 cents.

[@Randy_Cox]

I say surgery. I broke a collar bone and 9 ribs a few years ago. The doc gave me the option to surgery and plate the bone or not. I chose no surgery at that point, 2 years later my shoulder is not like it was before the break and I wish I would have done surgery and plating.

[@georgepurchase9865]

Hi I did the same thing 4 years ago, i went for surgery the surgeon uses artificial ligaments. Started physiotherapy next day. I was back on the bike in 6 week. I must say the surgeon is a shoulder specialist specializing in sports injuries

[@lucasmonks5767]

Sorry bro Love your channel get well soon

[@onthethrottle7104]

Avert surgery at all costs. There is nothing better than your own body self healing. I just had surgery and things are just not right and this has happened to me before. You always hear of all these great surgeries but there is no surgeon that can do what your amazing body can do on its own. Also, you run the chance of blood clot or serious infection from hospitals or outpatient surgery centers...and yes they happen quite a bit.

[@dougjohnson7141]

I crashed my dirt bike, flew over bars and separated my AC joint in Feb of 2023. I had the same grade five separation and I decided to not have the surgery because of the long process of rehab and physical therapy. I am just now working out to full strength and can finally do a push up without pain, however if I go for a hike or walk for more than three miles my shoulder will ache and feel like it is pulling down away from the collarbone. Not sure if this will get better but I am hoping so. The first three months were tough because you cant really push your shoulder the way you want to and I took about four months off the bike before I started riding again. Now I ride either a dirt bike or MTB two days a week with no pain. If I were to do it again I would not have the surgery, just my two cents, good luck.

[@TrailBoundco]

thanks for sharing! the walking thing is weird I wouldn't think that would cause pain right now in my early stage I'm noticing that it does start hurting pretty bad if I'm just standing for like a half an hour only but what hurts on me is the scapula like that big disc in your back because I did fracture the bone a little bit at the top. was your doctor recommendations to get the surgery?

[@dougjohnson7141]

I talked to two Doctors and they both recommended I not get the surgery. They both informed me that surgery or not that I will most likely have scar tissue as well as tendinitis in the shoulder the rest of my life. They both insisted that if it gave me problems down the road that I could come back and get the surgery. I do have a small bump on my shoulder now.

[@MTdirtrider]

I think you have to think about the effects of it later in life or even in the near future. I'd do the surgery

[@matt2437]

Get the surgery bro. You’ll be glad you did later

[@hackertheslacker]

Full seperation here. To this day I still suffer. Lost alot of range of motion inorder to repair it. 14 ceramic anchors in my left shoulder. That was 13 years ago-ish Its still F'ed up. Im looking at a full replacement in the near future. IDK what stage it was, but they kept saying it wasnt a normal shoulder injury. Still riding with out too many complications. I'll keep riding until I can't. Ride High Country every Saturday minus chitty weather, like deep snow. Plenty of dumb videos on my page.😂😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5LPZZ6tararoassi=hAoo7QkNAGtdbIn6

[@sfade6217]

Had grade 2 healed. If I had grade 5 absolutely surgery. You have zero support structure now. It's long term you need to think about not about being off bike this year. You have many yrs left.

[@learningtofly6804]

Gnarly injury Chris. Did you have Shoulder protection, like a chest protector with rotator cuff coverage?

[@helidave]

Dude I did the same thing a couple years ago and hearing you say you got the sling off and are moving your arm around after 2 weeks made me cringe. If it's a complete separation and displaced (like mine) it will never heal right unless the ligaments are pulled back together and the joint immobilized. The surgery and the recovery sucks, especially the first couple weeks, but it will heal to 100% strength and you wont spend the rest of your life with a lumpy, weak, droopy shoulder. Just get it over with so you can get back to riding. I was off the bike for about 6 months, and that was playing it pretty safe and not rushing back. The only lasting effect I have is a couple bumps of scar tissue on the top of my collarbone from where they loop the donor tendon through, which can be a little uncomfortable with a heavy pack if the strap is riding right on top of it.

[@TrailBoundco]

yeah yesterday start of week 3 PT had me out of the sling and moving it do some rehab, didn't think I could use it. but I think because its so far away its not rubbing on anything on certain movements (not really a good thing). id really like to not do surgery and race this season but the more I talk to people more I think I should do surgery

[@helidave]

​@@TrailBoundco I got a sling in the ER and tried to move that shit as little as possible. I can't imagine doing PT with it disconnected. Grade 5 really needs surgery to heal properly. It sucks, but you'll be back on the bike by summer if you get it done soon.

[@onthethrottle7104]

@@TrailBoundco No way, stay away from surgery at all costs, keep doing serious PT and the better you feel push PT harder. Doctors and others will say do surgery but that's because of the new age society, just go under the knife and all will be better... but that's not the case, let your hard work and your own body do the repair.

[@jwin72]

Stupid question. It's a shoulder separation different from a disclocated shoulder?

[@TrailBoundco]

Yes different ligaments. Dislocated rips the stuff holding the arm to the back scapula where separated tears the stuff holding the arm/scapula to the collar bone. So my ligaments are all good for dislocated shoulder area. Instead my arm and back scapula bone is dropping way down away from the collar bone. I have it tapped up now with kt tape, we had to prop the arm up like 4 inches before tapping to get in the correct spot it was weird

[@jwin72]

@@TrailBoundco ooof. Ok, I've only suffered a somewhat minor dislocation. No experience to share but damn man, i sorry to hear it's what you're having to deal with now.

[@mikebarnato7632]

If you ask a surgeon, what to do, he’ll say Surgury😂 wait do mass therapy you’ll do that your whole life no matter what won’t lose shit if it’s horrible, it’s horrible. It’ll get better, but it will never be the same no matter what surgeries hard to get over right here mine was separated. Will always be.

[@gulledge6356]

"Promo SM" 😭