#Distal Clavicle Osteolysis surgery

[impistry]

Just some real talk for a moment regarding my upcoming shoulder surgery on the 15th

I know for the last year and 9 months I haven't been very active art-wise, and the shoulder surgery I'm going to have in less than 3 weeks is the main driver behind that. Kind of hard to do art when you are in constant pain with your dominant arm, and all of the non-surgical options we tried just didn't really seem to help (3 injections, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy for 4 months, Exercises since last March, etc). As of right now I'm looking at 4-6 months of healing after surgery, which also means I'm most likely going to be lacking in much content to share (this includes sewing as well as drawing). I'm hoping that it doesn't take half a year to recover, but so long as I can get full functionality back with my arm, then so be it. I know some folks talk about art-related injuries happening due to bad practices, but this isn't one of those cases. In my case I just ended up with a bum deal and it was just a combination of life stuff that led to this (final nail in the coffin though was helping to remove snow in early Jan 2022), and not how I was choosing to do art. I know I'm going to be HELLA rusty by the time I heal, so it's going to take a while of doing bad art before I can get good again. I do have plans of things I want to work on once I can (working on the comic script currently actually), but please bare with me for the next little while if I happen to drop off the face of the internet, cause I won't be gone forever, I'll just be quite for a while.

[quinn-the-pisces-blog]

What is the AC joint in the shoulder?

The top of the wing bone or scapula is the acromion. The joint shaped wherein the acromion connects to the collar bone or clavicle is the AC joint. Usually there is a protuberance or bump in this vicinity, which can be quite large in a few people normally. This joint, like maximum joints within the frame, has a cartilage disk or meniscus inside and the ends of the bones are protected with cartilage. The joint is held together by way of a pill, and the clavicle is held inside the proper role by using  heavy ligaments known as coracoclavicular ligaments.

 How is the AC joint usually injured?

The AC joint is injured most customarily when one falls at once on the brink of the shoulder. The trauma will separate the acromion far from the clavicle, inflicting a sprain or a real AC joint dislocation. In a moderate damage, the ligaments which aid the AC joint are without a doubt stretched (Grade I), however with extra severe injury, the ligaments can in part tear (Grade II) or absolutely tear (Grade III). In the most intense damage, the stop of the clavicle protrudes below the pores and skin and is visible as a outstanding bump.

AC JOINT SURGERY NYC

How is an AC joint separation identified?

Most frequently the medical exam will demonstrate tenderness or bruising across the top of the shoulder near the AC joint, and the suspected diagnosis can be confirmed the use of an X-ray, which compares the injured aspect with the affected person's different joint.

 What is the proper treatment for a sprained AC joint?

When a joint is first sprained, conservative remedy is certainly the best. Applying ice directly to the factor of the shoulder is beneficial to inhibit swelling and relieve pain. The arm may be supported with a sling which also relieves some of the weight from the shoulder. Gentle movement of the arm can be allowed to prevent stiffness, and exercising putty may be very useful to enhance feature of the elbow, wrist, and hand, but any attempts at full of life shoulder mobilization early on will probable result in more swelling and ache.

 How long does it take for a shoulder separation to heal?

Depending on how extreme the injury is, it is able to heal thoroughly in two to three weeks. In intense cases, the shoulder may not heal without surgery.

 When and why is surgical operation vital for AC joint separations?

Usually surgical operation is reserved for the ones instances in which there may be residual ache or unacceptable deformity within the joint after numerous months of conservative treatment. The ache can occur with direct stress on the joint, which includes with straps from undies or work garb. Sometimes there might be catching, clicking, or ache with overhead sports, consisting of lifting, throwing, or reaching. Finally, in some human beings with very thin skin and little or no muscular and tender tissue padding above their shoulders, the outstanding clavicle after the separation can be taken into consideration unattractive, because the shoulder can appear to be unbalanced.

 Are there other reasons of AC joint ache and incapacity?

Arthritis can occur as an isolated event within the AC joint, causing stiffness, aching, and from time to time swelling. Another condition referred to as DCO, or distal clavicle osteolysis, gives a comparable image, commonly in younger individuals who carry heavy weights. This is referred to as "weightlifter's shoulder."

 What type of surgery can restore AC joint problems?

The most effective kind of surgical operation for AC joint harm involves resection or removal of the cease of the clavicle the use of arthroscopic (mini-surgical) techniques (known as a Mumford method). If the joint becomes painful due to DCO (weightlifter's shoulder) or arthritis, or the separation is only minor, this method can be very first-rate. When the joint is severely displaced, then a more complex system is needed to repair the location of the clavicle. Usually this operation, called a Weaver-Dunn method, is achieved using a two-inch incision over the joint. The end of the clavicle is eliminated, and ligament is transferred from the underside of the acromion into the cut give up of the clavicle to update the ligaments torn in the course of the dislocation. Soon, an arthroscopic technique must be to be had to restore the location of the joint, but at this point, most effective open surgical operation techniques are available.

[impistry]

For anyone who's had shoulder surgery (particularly AC joint / Distal Clavicle Osteolysis surgery), does anyone have any good tips or hints that made your life easier after surgery/during recovery?

I'm just honestly trying to get as much info as I can to make my life easier, since I know it's going to be a few weeks-months of recovery before I'll be back to decent usability with my shoulder. Just an FYI: I live mainly alone so I don't really have help, which means most everything I'll be doing will be on my own (Bonus points if you have suggestions that are useful that you can do on your own)