* Distal Clavicle Resection Shoulder Surgery RECOVERY Journal *

[KRich227]

This will be my journal updating my progress/recovery from distal clavicle resection shoulder surgery.
First I'll give a little timeline:

*June 2010 - Injured myself incline benching 265, felt a little something in my shoulder
- Given anti-inflammatories and recommended to an Orthopedic
- Visit with orthopedic who thinks it's tendinitis/bursitis, gives me anti-inflammatory packets, and thinks I was doing too much weight for my frame throughout the years

*July 2010 - I am taking anti-inflammatories and going light on weights, and only 2x week

*August 2010 - Have X-Ray which shows no structural damage, but pain won't go away
- Have MRI which shows bursitis buildup in right shoulder
- I request a Cortisone shot

*September 2010 - No real issues except a constant cracking in my shoulder. I am out of the gym completely, pretty down about it.

*October 2010 - I request a second cortisone in my shoulder, just in a different spot

*November 2010 - February 2011 - Everything feels fine, shoulder is still iffy but better. I began to put size and muscle mass back on

*March 2011 - The shoulder bursitis comes back and once again I'm down about it. I stay out of the gym and make an appointment with my orthopedic

*April 2011 - May 2011 - visit with ortho about recurring issues and we both agree another cortisone won't do much. He tells me about what he could do surgically, distal clavicle resection. He tells me it's something I DON'T need, and I can live without it, which is true because the pain wasn't as bad as it was in the beginning stages. But I can't lift heavy, and basically can't lift much without feeling something in shoulder.

*June - September 2011 - Work all summer, one job as an intern. I stay out of the gym all summer as I lost about 20-25 pounds since originally injuring myself.

* October 2011 - I decide to get the surgery, and surprise myself in the process as I didn't think it would come to this, but the nagging/discomfort wouldn't go away, and the pain was low, probably 3/10, but all this prevented me from doing what I love to do, and I'm only 25 and have some prime years ahead of me still.

*** This has been a 16 month process and I've been miserable throughout, and I didn't decide on surgery on a whim. I went through all the steps before, and they helped some but ultimately failed. Again, surgery wasn't a necessity, but it was something I decided on. And I do not have health insurance. Only time will tell if it was the right choice, but I hope it will be. I do know I will try to stay away from the flat bench as I did that far too much.

**** I am doing this to show my gains from recovery. I hope you guys read and like what you are seeing. Any questions, feel free to inbox me. Recovery is said to be 3-6 months.

[KRich227]

October 21, 2011 - Surgery day. I will be in a sling for ten days. Was given pain killers to help with pain. Very uncomfortable to sleep, as I couldn't really sleep fully any of the days do to being propped up. Tomorrow is my post-op, and I'll have a better understanding then.

[s_tracy]

Had my distal clavicle resection about 2.5 years ago. It took 2 full years to get comfortable benching heavy and shoulder pressing anything over 60lb dbs. I had my left shoulder done and got back to benching around the middle part of this year. I am 5'8 175 right now, and I'm as strong as I ever was but oddly enough, tonight I had a pretty sharp pain in that shoulder. I've been going heavy for the last month or so and I think my joints have had about all they want.. Time to back it down.

[KRich227]

Had my sling taken off and stitches taken out today. Started to do a little movement with my shoulder to help the process. Doc says prolly 4-6 weeks of PT, 1-2 a week because I don't have health insurance. He also says 3-6 months when I can get to lifting again, hopefully!!. I should be starting PT next week, but not totally sure. And I see my doctor again in a month.

[FLbeach321]

It's been 10 weeks since my dcr surgery. Sorry that you had to go through it as long as you did. I'm starting to lift some decent weight now but no where near where I was. Your doctor was right when he said 3-6months. Most doctors lie and say you will be back to work the next day, then you go in depression wondering why your still in pain 8 weeks later. On a good note, its a pretty basic surgery even though its painful for a while. An almost perfect success rate. They take out the bone and bursa sac and it takes about 8 weeks or so for scar tissue to build up and fill in the joint which will now act as a cushion now that you don't have a bursa sac or ligament.

[KRich227]

It's been 10 weeks since my dcr surgery. Sorry that you had to go through it as long as you did. I'm starting to lift some decent weight now but no where near where I was. Your doctor was right when he said 3-6months. Most doctors lie and say you will be back to work the next day, then you go in depression wondering why your still in pain 8 weeks later. On a good note, its a pretty basic surgery even though its painful for a while. An almost perfect success rate. They take out the bone and bursa sac and it takes about 8 weeks or so for scar tissue to build up and fill in the joint which will now act as a cushion now that you don't have a bursa sac or ligament.

how are u starting to/already lifting at 10 weeks? did u go through rehab/physical therapy? I think i'm just confused because then you brought up the 3-6 months? lol

[FLbeach321]

10 weeks is only 2 weeks shy of 3 months. When I say I'm lifting decent weight, I mean up up to 25-30lbs dumbells on bench, laterals, military's, etc. But I stll have pain. It gets a bit less everyday and less as I'm now using it more. But I'm not using 80's and 90's again yet. As far as rehab, yes I did go through it. I went 3 times but then did it on my own because I had already had my other shoulder done and I knew the exercises. I would have NEVER done therapy on my own if I didn't already go through it. I was out of my sling the next day and had full range with in a couple of days, but I did have pain during that motion because as my PT told me "the doctor shaved out bone so now there is fresh bone with exposed nerves and the bones are rubbing together until the scar tissue fills in where the bone was taken out"

Keep that ice on there. 4-6 times a day to keep the swelling down.

[KRich227]

10 weeks is only 2 weeks shy of 3 months. When I say I'm lifting decent weight, I mean up up to 25-30lbs dumbells on bench, laterals, military's, etc. But I stll have pain. It gets a bit less everyday and less as I'm now using it more. But I'm not using 80's and 90's again yet. As far as rehab, yes I did go through it. I went 3 times but then did it on my own because I had already had my other shoulder done and I knew the exercises. I would have NEVER done therapy on my own if I didn't already go through it. I was out of my sling the next day and had full range with in a couple of days, but I did have pain during that motion because as my PT told me "the doctor shaved out bone so now there is fresh bone with exposed nerves and the bones are rubbing together until the scar tissue fills in where the bone was taken out"

Keep that ice on there. 4-6 times a day to keep the swelling down.

Yeah all I have now is the stiffness from my arm being in the sling for 10 days and bc of the surgery. I'm hoping to begin physical therapy next week or two. I'm just at home doing basic shrugs with my shoulder. Anything that you can recommend that I can do at home for rehab?

[KRich227]

Started PT last thursday, just going once a week because I don't have health insurance. Doing basic stretches, and ROM exercises now. Hopeful to do more next week at my session. Still looking like 3+ months til I can hit the weights.

[KRich227]

going on 5 weeks post op and my 4th week of PT. started using 2.5 lbs dumbells for some minor rotator cuff strengthening. still basic, simple, stretching and minor strengthening. seems to be going along on schedule. this next month will say/show a lot on how my shoulder reacts to seeing when I can get back into the weights!

[FLbeach321]

Keep up the good work. It's just a waiting game as you wait for the scar tissue to fill in and form.

[KRich227]

Keep up the good work. It's just a waiting game as you wait for the scar tissue to fill in and form.

thanks, man. appreciate the support

[KRich227]

latest PT session went smoothly..only added on one new exercise. I'm doing about 10 different stretches and basic strengthening in the shoulder area. My trainer said he might begin to add more things on next week and push me a little more.

[KRich227]

Had my PT appointment, which was my 8th, and my monthly follow up with my doc.

9 weeks post surgery (10/21)

Doc said I didn't need to go to PT anymore, that I could continue everything at home. Was only going once a week bc I was paying out of pocket, but was doing everything at home the rest of the days.

He also said I could even begin doing bi's and tri's, which I'm still leery about bc I don't want to slow down the progress at all, but said I should be ok if I lightly work back into bi's and tri's. Still nothing over the head allowed.

Go back to see my doc in 5 weeks(February), and he said by the 4 month mark(end of Feb, early March) I may be able to get back to everything. I'm hopeful but realistic that I just need to keep doing my PT exercises and take one day at a time. But seems like progress!

[FLbeach321]

I think I'm about 17 weeks post op. It's just a long waiting game. I'm back to icing 3 times a day (when I wake up, after workout, and before bed) I'm also taking ibuprofen about every other day. I think I still have a few more months before I'm painfree. Keep up the good work, keep icing and well...just wait, lol

[KRich227]

I think I'm about 17 weeks post op. It's just a long waiting game. I'm back to icing 3 times a day (when I wake up, after workout, and before bed) I'm also taking ibuprofen about every other day. I think I still have a few more months before I'm painfree. Keep up the good work, keep icing and well...just wait, lol

I actually don't ice. Was told it wasn't really needed. All i'm doing is just the PT exercises. But you're right, it's definitely a waiting game.

[KRich227]

currently in my 14th week of recovery. the shoulder is definitely starting to feel stronger, starting moving up 10 lbs for some of the PT exercises. Still on my own, as i don't have to see the PT anymore, but I am going to see my Orthopedic doc in 2 weeks for a checkup. Last time we spoke he said I could start doing light bis and tris, but I haven't done that, as I don't want to get in there as push back my recovery. I guess everything seems to be on schedule though, hopefully, as I'm going into my 4th month of recovery and strengthening. Boy, I sure miss the gym and the weights though!

[KRich227]

Feb 21st will be 4 months post-op! Saw my orthopedic on Monday and he says I'm cleared to get back into the gym!!!!, obviously nothing heavy yet, but it's progression! ... he says to take everything easy and ease back into the weights, starting off extremely light, and just starting off with the bar for the bench. I just hope I can ease back into the weights these next few months..

[KRich227]

So I'm back into the gym, going light and very easy for right now. Still a little discomfort in my shoulder every now and then, but no major pain. Any advice guys on what to expect for the next month or so as I try to get to pain free in my shoulder while working out???

[KRich227]

Haven't posted in a while, thought i'd give an update. Approaching 9 months post-surgery. My shoulder is feeling better everyday, I'm still doing my rehab stretches 3-4 a week, and most importantly I'm back in the gym increasing weights, even on shoulder press dumbbells(doing 65lbs for 6 reps) and flat bench press(was finally able to put a plate on a do a few reps), which is still the exercise and body part in which i lost the most strength and the one where it'll take the longest to gain back . But it feels everything is coming around, now I'm trying to get some muscle back and trying to eat a lot more too.

Any advice guys on things I should be doing in the weigh room, or do I seem to be going down the right path? And also in terms of eating more trying to get more protein intake to offset not being able to go extremely heavy on the weights right now?

[clarrkkent1979]

Haven't posted in a while, thought i'd give an update. Approaching 9 months post-surgery. My shoulder is feeling better everyday, I'm still doing my rehab stretches 3-4 a week, and most importantly I'm back in the gym increasing weights, even on shoulder press dumbbells(doing 65lbs for 6 reps) and flat bench press(was finally able to put a plate on a do a few reps), which is still the exercise and body part in which i lost the most strength and the one where it'll take the longest to gain back . But it feels everything is coming around, now I'm trying to get some muscle back and trying to eat a lot more too.

Any advice guys on things I should be doing in the weigh room, or do I seem to be going down the right path? And also in terms of eating more trying to get more protein intake to offset not being able to go extremely heavy on the weights right now?

First-I'd like to say thanks for giving such a detailed report. It's very informative. I'm bumping this to see if you have an update to give.

I am 4 weeks post op for a RT DCR. My doc told me I would be able to lift 8 weeks out, but I don't see that happening. It's amazing the discrepancy between what docs seem to tell patients and what the reality is.

Hope you are still around. Any chance you could update and let us know how things are going now? over the last 6 months?

[KRich227]

Been a while since I updated! I am now over 2 years post-surgery, wow, I didn't realize until now it's been two years!!

[suprfast]

Been a while since I updated! I am now over 2 years post-surgery, wow, I didn't realize until now it's been two years!!

I saw you just posted. Can you update how you feel, where you are at now compared to before your injury, anything more.