they are fine as long as there was a bit of resistance pulling them apart
them 3 round bits on the end of the shaft hold it together inside the cv housing, the spring stops it from popping in too far
if them bearings on the ends come off you are fooked as you'll need to get a new one from somewhere
you can prise the spring out
you can pull the bearings off the ends (circlips i think) and clean them up but they fall apart very easily so be carefull
also, if you grease the outside of the cv gaitor it makes it more supple and less likely to crack

obviosly clean it off afterwards before you refit them