Dislocated Clavicle. Nice.

[MsteveM]

So, my left clavicle is dislocated anteriorly and superiorly at the sternoclavicular joint - it's actually been like that for at least a few years. I do not know when exactly or what exactly caused it (just that the type of injury is nearly always caused by impact of some type). The dislocation is pretty obvious, but it isn't horrendous. About A week ago, I seemed to have injured it further...most likely with a moderately light weight on a chest fly machine (4 sets of 8, submaximal). It's previously been almost asymptomatic - with the exception of shoulder instability and occasional feeling of impingement above 95lb on a dumbell bench press and above 65 lbs on a dumbell shoulder press. Pressing at an incline could not be done with any appreciable weight (maybe 55lb dumbells before symptoms). If it helps to know, current symptoms are occasional paresthesia in the left arm, occasional mild pain at the sternoclavicular joint, a slight feeling of 'shifting' around the acromion process upon retracting the shoulder blades.

I understand that closed reduction is generally only effective within the first couple days after a dislocation, so that is probably not an option unless someone wants to tell me otherwise.

Here's what I really want to know: Has anyone had surgery for a clavicle dislocation, and does the clavicle still impair function? ...and can anyone here point me in a direction besides open reduction?

I haven't been able to train the way I'd like to for well over a year now. I can deal with not being able to lift all out max intensity, but not being able to lift heavy at all isn't going to work. If anyone can offer helpful advice, I'd appreciate it. I know we have a few therapists on here....