Seperated shoulder xray advice

[kramer68]

Last week I took a pretty violent over the handlebars mountain biking crash.  Went to the urgent care here and had x-rays taken and after was referred to an Ortho but his office would not see me. No insurance and don't have the $$$

The urgent care Doc was very nice but not sure on the grade of separation or exact severity of my ac shoulder tear / rupture.  Posting my x-ray (LEFT SHOULDER) hoping that someone can tell me if it's something that I should seek further help for.  It's been 8 days...  It still hurts like mad....  and I have to return to work tomorrow in pain.  NO WORK ='s NO place to live.  Harsh reality.  No stranger to pain after 2 lower back surgeries so I have a feeling something isn't right.

Any help or advice would be very, very, very appreciated.

Warmest Aloha

Brian

[kramer68]

Update...

Apparently I have a grade 3 shoulder separation. Hurts like mad 5 weeks later. Sleeping, waking in the morning and work *****... it always throbs and certain movements cause acute pain.

Saw the local Ortho last Friday and honestly I felt brushed aside because I am uninsured. His attitude sucked and he quote said smugly "you don't have insurance so how far do you want to take this $$$?"  My whole left shoulder is still much larger than the right and it sits at least an inch plus higher than the right when relaxed.  

A good friend is an Internal medicine M.D. in HI. and  he was amazed \ appalled by the guys attitude and the fact that he didn't order an MRI when I told him about my appt.  The Ortho also seemed to care less about my long term concerns and dodged the question.  Skiing, surfing, beach v-ball etc.  I am getting insurance next pay day so should I just suck it up till then and see someone else?  

At least the my shoulder distracts me from Achilles tendonitis and degenerative disc disease. (2 surgeries so far on L5-S1 and L4-L5) lol... not really.  Getting old ***** when I still play like I'm in my 20's.

Thank you sooo much for your time and responses!  :)

Warmest Aloha

Brian

[Foggy2]

I can't diagnose on the forum, and I can't see the details well enough on the X-ray.  There area many structures to the shoulder and any good Ortho MD would probably order an MRI or CT.  Keep icing it for now.  Try to find another place to go that may have financial planning (can work out a deal to pay off your bill).  You need to be seen.  You sound like an active person and if you don't take care of this now, it will affect your ability to do the things you like to do in the future.  

[kramer68]

Thank you for replying... :)  Still have not had a follow up.  Waiting till payday on Friday. They did give me a sling which I've been wearing when I can and have been icing it a few times a day.  

I've hurt myself quite a bit over the years... surfing (Lived on the North Shore of Maui for 15 years)  skiing, football etc.  but this is a good one.  Crashed on Aug. 30th and it still hurts like mad. Practically have to log roll out of bed in the morning.  Almost out of pain meds and I hate asking for more because they just treat you like a drug seeker.  I should not have to live and work in pain just because of other peoples deviant behavior and addictions.

Any thoughts looking at the XRAY?  Bad?  grrrrr  Just hate not knowing as I'm very active and ski season here in Colorado is just around the corner.

Thank you for your time and reply!!

[Foggy2]

I'm sorry to hear of your problems.  Have you tried other places to be seen for a follow-up?

In the meantime, did the ER at least give you a sling or shoulder immobilizer to wear?

Are you putting ice to the area (20 min. on at a time 4x/day)?

If not healed correctly, this can cause lasting problems.  I strongly suggest you find some other place that will accept you to be seen for follow-up.

Please keep us informed and I wish you well.