Shoulder Guru's....taping and dislocations

[jmars]

So in 2001 I had my shoulder surgery for my torn labrum, the shoulder was bad enough that while punching on a heavy bag it would throw out and once it started to come out while I was sleeping I knew I need surgery. Fast forward to this Saturday......I come of a knoll, pop a 3 land and then eat shit while I'm trying to regain board control...bam I go down and the shoulder I had surgery dislocates forward once again.

I popped it back within 10-15secs and and threw my wing in the sling. I'm probably not going to the othro b/c of the past 2 years he saw me with a torn ACL, torn meniscus, 2 broken collar bones and 2 ribs....I've had some bad luck.

Since I'm educated on my shoulder and know that it just needs time (yes I know its not good what I did) do you guys think a solid taping job would be better then buying a brace like the EVS one? I'm going to keep it in the sling for 5 days or so and I've been beyond diligent about icing every hour when not asleep. I can lift my arm out in front of me, out the side and come across the plane of my chest out to the side but all of that is with some pain and struggle....which I expect so early in the injury.

I don't see this as season ending b/c I dealt with this before but I'm really curious about taping. I've watched a few Youtube video on technique and taping seems like a good option since I can't get a brace in time to be a weekend warrior this weekend. I don't mind restricted movement due to a brace or taping b/c my riding will have to be throttled back anyway for the next few weeks.

Thoughts, experiences??

Thanks.

[Vinman]

you need more than 5 days in the sling. To avoid another dislocation and potentially another surgery 6 weeks in the sling followed by rehab to get strength and motion back would likely be what your ortho would recommend. Taping won't prevent your shoulder from dislocating again.

Going back out to ride this weekend is flirting with disaster. As you know repeated dislocation = unstable shoulder = surgery.

[jmars]

Uggh yeah......pretty much expected that. 6 weeks in a sling sounds excessive but I'm not arguing over that since I clearly don't know best. I'm a bit shock at the amount of ROM I have...I'm not pushing it but I was curious this morning.

Why won't taping help? It seems that its common for pro football, basketball and soccer players. Of course i don't need to ride this weekend but I thought I would jsut make some turns with the gf.

[Vinman]

it might make your shoulder feel a little better, especially kinesiotaping but if there is enough force to dislocate a shoulder, no tape will stop it.

[jmars]

I thought the same. I wasn't thinking KT tape b/c I really don't knwo much about it other then what is advertised.

Duct tape......now that will hold it!

Thanks for the replies Vinman