Acromioclavicular joint injury (shoulder separation) and backpacking

Been there, done that, 14 years ago. Shortly after my fall I started maintaining my aerobic fitness by hiking uphill for a hour with a frameless, beltless, cheapo day bag loaded with 25 pounds of stuff. Even after the pain went away and I again became fully functional mountain biking, I still had bouts of nausea when the bones were grinding. So I had the end of the clavicle cut off ("reduced") to gain a little clearance. Then it took Another 4 weeks of rehab, due to the "cut down" through the tissue and muscles above the clavicle, to regain my range of motion. Now, aside from a startling "step" at my shoulder, I have No issues. Daypacks, ULA Ohm, ULA Circuit, a couple of Gossamer Gear packs, and an archaic external frame portage pack with 80 pound loads, are all fine. Two week trips starting with 30 pound loads are not a problem for my shoulder. (The rest of me complains though.) The straps of these packs sit on the clavicle "inside" of the shortened end. The clavicle used to support my shoulder and a pack. Now it just supports a pack. Functional "load lifters" are a good thing. A sternum strap is useful for shoulder strap control as well as load distribution, but I often forgo its use. One thing to pay attention to is the shoulder is no longer supported "as designed", so Good Posture, supplemental strengthening, and stretching of other supporting muscles is needed to avoid whining back there. (I did move my computer trackball from my injured right to my left because the ergonomics are better.) My "daily living" activities are more of a problem than backpacking. Edit: I Do have problems throwing things. It is difficult to skip stones on a lake. (Maybe I just need more practice.) Ask me anything …

Thanks Greg, this is reassuring! So far after one week I still don’t feel like putting a day bag on that shoulder. I’m trying to use taping and sling so that it heals in place (AC reduced) but this is probably not realistic and maybe I’m too cautious and should start moving it more. Aerobic activities are limited except for short walks. I should begin PT in the next weeks to reinforce muscles around that area because my neck is slanted from trying to support the arm. I hope I won’t get that grinding problem you had but at least they could take care of that. Does this disgusting sagging arm feeling go away or you have to get use to it? I wonder how it will affect my paddling (whitewater canoeist), as this implies horizontal adductions that put stress on the no longer existing AC joint, and requires portaging that big royalex expedition canoe. I'm curious to know which daily activities are still problematic.

One week out is pretty short. If I recall it took about a month before I could sleep comfortably. Then other stuff got easier as well. "Does this disgusting sagging arm feeling go away or you have to get use to it?" I found it pretty interesting that I had such a strong "body image" reaction to my shoulder. It wasn't ego or vanity, but my brain "knew" something was wrong and let me know. It took a long time ( a year?) for that to go away. "I wonder how it will affect my paddling (whitewater canoeist), as this implies horizontal adductions that put stress on the no longer existing AC joint, and requires portaging that big royalex expedition canoe." My wife and I just got back from two weeks in the BWAC. I single-carry a dry bag on a frame pack, And the canoe with sand chairs, pfds, and tarp poles lashed in. The total load is 80+ pounds. No complaints from the shoulder. I take stern and can maintain a good line. Rough water landings requiring braces and draws, and cross-draws, are not an issue. (As always, keep your elbow in when you can.) Give yourself some slack on activities for the next month or so. Be aggressive with PT and ROM. Find a good "sports oriented" PT. Those helping the inactive and infirm just don't get it. I rejected many before finding one who said "Let's get you back in the rodeo". (He routinely worked on bronc riders.) I took my fall in January and in August I completed a third Leadville 100 MTB Race. I realize I am a sample of 1, but I haven't found anything I can't do, with the exception of throwing things overhand. I never cared about "ball sports", so no big deal for me. I suspect that with proper rehab I could do that as well. This will slow you down for a while, but I don't think you should consider yourself limited in any way. Do what you want to do. Edit to Add: Pay attention to other sore body parts. I suffered the most at my deltoid attachment, between the tricep and bicep, and Still do. Adhesions? Scar tissue? Partial detachment? No clue. Share those pains with your care providers and get them addressed early. Be persistent on resolution.

been there 20 years ago. absolutely no limits now. non dominant shoulder, so no idea about overhead throwing. Most important thing is to find a good, and I mean good physical therapist. don't go to the "drive thru" PT clinics often associated with the surgeon or hospital. find a PT who participates in your sports and understands what you need more than a standard "program" of rehab. you may find such a person in your cookie cutter places, but look around, ask questions, get a referral. I had to pay to go out of network and it was and continues to be worth it. BTW, i have had kidney stones, hernia repairs, knees scoped, and found the shoulder AC hook removal to be quite painful, especially in sleeping. hang in there, it gets better, but the sleeping took months for me. good luck Art