AC Joint Pain Help (collar bone)

[Agentman]

During my last bulking cycle I injured my AC joint in my collar bone shoulder area. I can't seem to get over it. Does anyone have any tips for this? I have been icing it and stretching my shoulder before lifting. Shrugs and Dumbbell benchpress seem to flare it right up. Thanks in advance

[Chicagotarsier]

NSAID or NSAID and rest is the best bet from my experience.

[Agentman]

Is this a fairly talked about injury on this forum? It seems rare at my gym but some google searches show a lot of information about it. I did a few of the physical therapy treatments they had on webmd but they didnt seem to help much.

[Chicagotarsier]

I haven't seen much on it. What I have seen is a lot on TB-500 and treating injuries with it.

AC joint disruption (Rockwood Classification)

Type I - joint sprained without tear of either ligament.
Type II - AC ligaments torn but CC ligaments intact. Lateral end of clavicle not elevated.
Type III - AC and CC ligaments torn, >5 mm elevation of AC joint in unstressed X-ray. Take care to distinguish from type III (distal) clavicular fracture.
Type IV - lateral clavicle separated and impaled posteriorly into trapezial fascia.
Type V - complete separation of clavicle and scapula with gross upward clavicular displacement.
Type VI - as type V but with clavicle detached inferiorly and displaced behind tendons of biceps and brachioradialis.



Types I and II injuries are managed conservatively with ice, a sling for 1-3 weeks and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) followed by physiotherapy to strengthen muscles and ligaments after the acute phase.
Type III injuries should be managed conservatively but carefully selected cases may benefit from surgical intervention if conservative therapy fails.[8]
Types IV to VI are nearly always treated with open reduction and internal fixation.
All acute lesions thought to be worse than type II should be referred urgently for an orthopaedic opinion.

[Agentman]

Have you read any about surgery to remove the AC ligament and have a free moving collar bone? I saw a lot of heavy lifters have this done and are able to lift heavy 3-4 days after the procedure. I don't think mine is that severe but I absolutely cannot lift heavy without it popping and cracking and hurting bad for 2-3 days afterwards.

[ScotsRow1]

I injured both my AC's playing rugby. Wasn't until I started doing very light scapula work that it started to heal and the pain go away. If you do a lot more pushing work compared to pulling causing your shoulders to be pulled forward you'll be in an unstable position which will continue to worsen if it keeps being aggravated. Check out Diesel Crew shoulder rehab.

[Agentman]

I injured both my AC's playing rugby. Wasn't until I started doing very light scapula work that it started to heal and the pain go away. If you do a lot more pushing work compared to pulling causing your shoulders to be pulled forward you'll be in an unstable position which will continue to worsen if it keeps being aggravated. Check out Diesel Crew shoulder rehab.

This is very helpful... Diesel Crew rehab is on this site? I will take your advise and see if that helps. Thanks!

[ScotsRow1]

Have to look for diesel crew in google! (Or your favoured search engine provider).

[Agentman]

OK I will have to check that out. Thanks again!