AC joint separation (separated shoulder)

TDHunter · July 23, 2022, 10:53:15 PM

Well i've done myself in good this time. I separated my left shoulder (AC joint) about 5 years ago, but got away without surgery and it has healed ok. It only took a few months and I was back shooting my lower weight bows. Well now I separated my right shoulder (right handed) much worse then I did my left. It's been almost 3 months and I can't pull a 20lb bow. because of our overloaded medical system I won't see a shoulder specialist until mid Sept.

How many of you have suffered a separated AC joint?
Did you have Surgery?
How long before you were shooting again?

GCook · July 23, 2022, 11:09:14 PM

Had one, no surgery at the time.. but when the worse injury occurred they fixed that too. Trouble now is arthritis and bone spurs there. YMMV

tradslinger · July 24, 2022, 08:47:51 AM

Have torn both shoulders from falls, I am right handed but am now stronger in my left hand. I also lost some of my feelings in my right hand fingertips. The VA told me that it is not quite bad enough to fix. But, I am still able to shoot a light bow. Been trying to strengthen my right arm etc but that that tends to hurt so I am careful. I wish you the best with your shoulder, injuries like that make you sick, especially when you could have avoided it

valleysniper · July 24, 2022, 09:27:08 AM

Sorry to hear about your ailment. I did the same thing and couldnt hardly move my arm. Finally saw the ortho for football team from University of Wisconsin, he advised me too have AC joint removed, I am good as new. back to shooting close to 50#. Not a lot of poundage I know, but allows me to hunt again.......Gary

Rathbuck · July 29, 2022, 02:18:59 PM

Yup - AC joint separation last October (stupid time of the year to do it). Lost an edge playing hockey and slid into the boards - wasn't even that bad of a collision with the boards.

I'm right handed and shoot right handed and it was my left shoulder. No surgery, just PT. Worst part was that I couldn't draw a bow until well after season ended - as soon as I put pressure on it, instant pain and felt like it was going to separate again.

Back to about 90% with PT - ready for bow season this year.

Gun · July 29, 2022, 10:25:18 PM

No shoulder separation. But in rehab from two torn tendons in my right shoulder, (one complete). I had surgery in March. I'm doing well with my stretching but will probably still be hunting w a mouth tab this season. I'm not going to rush things.
I see ur in Canada as well. GOOD LUCK!

One tip that may work for faster treatment and not sure it actually helped, but..... After waiting for a consult for 8 months I told my doctor I was going to sell my truck and have surgery privately. I got a call from a surgeon 2 weeks later. It still took another 3 months to go under the knife. I ended up with one of the top 3 surgeons I had researched.

Caughtandhobble · July 30, 2022, 05:10:16 PM

My left shoulder wears the ac separation bump. It's been a very long time but the doctor told me an ac separation is like a broken collarbone. I have not had any issues whatsoever.

Blackstick · August 01, 2022, 12:19:16 PM

I have done both of mine, so now, I at least look symmetrical.

The first was 22 years ago and the other was 7 years ago. The Ortho said he could fix it but then I would have to deal with arthritis on down the road. I didn't go with the surgery. It hasn't affected me shooting a recurve or longbow, but I can no longer draw a compound and thank God that is not an issue with me.