INJURY RECOVERY TIME?

Blacktemplar

Hi Folks

Managed to have my first significant 'off' on Friday - fortunately at low speed - unfortunately slid into a low wall shoulder first. No broken bones, but according to the hospital I have a 'grade 5' AC joint separation, and my collarbone is now pointing the wrong way (out the top of my shoulder :shock: ).

I'm told I need to have surgery to give me long-term stability/strength in the joint, but I wondered if anyone in here has had a similar injury, and if so, how long it was before they were back in the saddle?

I'm doing the Etape Caledonia in May next year and LEJOG in June so hoping to get back to training by Jan/Feb if possible. Also planning to get a TT so I can at least keep the legs/heart/lungs moving over the winter, even if it is one handed!

Cheers

MikeWW

Unlucky
I had a grade 4 ACJ at start of July
Had this operation 10 days later http://www.orthoillustrated.com/index.cfm?ResDiaRelID=104
Everything pointed in right direction after but was another 5 weeks before I could drive
Was back on the bike 7 weeks after operation (with consultants OK)
Did 70 miles Sunday which was end of week 9
Still some discomfort but reckon another 2 months and I should be good to go for most stuff
Bad news is that it is slow and whatever you try it won't really be any quicker(believe me I tried everything)
Hope that helps

MikeWW

Oh
And went straight back on the turbo
No handed to begin with
Then one handed and then at the end of week 4 (after op) could partly use the bad arm
Tried to just do steady turbo work at first for 45 mins or so and gradually moved up to 1 1/2 hours, mixed it up with some higher intensity stuff but couldn't do threshold work

Blacktemplar

Thanks Mike, guess I'll just have to take it as it comes. At 48 I'm sure things won't heal as quickly as they used to!