Who here has dislocated a shoulder?

[Jackie Treehorn]

Anyone here dislocate a shoulder before? If so, how long before you could ski again? I dislocated mine last week and it's feeling better, so I'm thinking about skiing this weekend. Just wondering if I would be more susceptible to permanent damage (ligament tears, etc.) in case of a fall. Thanks.

[Vinman]

I dislocated mine last week and it's feeling better, so I'm thinking about skiing this weekend. Just wondering if I would be more susceptible to permanent damage (ligament tears, etc.) in case of a fall. Thanks.

Bad idea. Usually it is 4-6 weeks before returning to activity following a dislocation. Especially if it is a 1st time dislocation. You should be making an appointment with your ortho and in a sling.

Roughly 50 % of 1st time dislocators will have a recurrance and that goes up by a ot if you rush back to activity especially if you are in your 20's.

Good luck with it and I hope you decided to give it some time and see an ortho.

[stash]

Was it a full dislocation, or just a subluxation? How long was it out? Does it still feel weak/loose at all?

I've dislocated both of mine, had one fixed. One week sounds very early to be back out. That shoulder will always be predisposed to being dislocated again. Each subsequent dislocation makes it more likely to dislocate again (soft tissue stretching, bone chipping), so the risk of re-injury is increased as are the consequences.

If you do go out, take it easy.

[Jackie Treehorn]

I've subluxed it several times before (and was actually planning to have surgery in April), but this was the first dislocation. I couldn't get an appointment with my surgeon until Monday, and haven't been able to talk to him either. I decided against skiing this weekend - figured the potential risk wasn't worth it, regardless of how good conditions may be. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm hoping the surgery fixes it - it's my right shoulder and I want to be able to throw stuff again.

[peterslovo]

I've dislocated my left once and separated my right. I unfortunately continually sublux the right due to the separation. I'm in the boat you fear...can't throw a football, etc.

I rehabbed the dislocation and it is fine, it's the subluxer that gives me constant problems (even though I rehabbed it). My advice (only from personal experience - i'm not a doc)...Be careful with it and make sure you go through a very good rigorous rehab program.

[spanky]

I had a fall back on New Year's eve (see this thread).

Had an MRI - results show a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum. Specialist says I probably partially dislocated it in the fall (out and in right away). Says I'll need arthroscopic surgery to repair the cuff and labrum. I was in to visit him the week before the summit and he gave me clearance to go. Just told me not to fall on it again.

I'll probably schedule the surgery for the end of April.

BTW, I skied the week after I got injured. It hurt a bit, but it was tolerable. Now, I've gotten to the point where it doesn't really bother me skiing unless I fall on it. The worst for me is sleeping on it. It wakes me up at night.

[Bandit Man]

Dislocated mine (left) for the first time about 6-years ago (skiing related). I took it easy for the prescribed 4-6 weeks and did therapy. Through various activities like skiing, mountain biking and surfing/body boarding, I dislocated it several times after that (easily over 50 times). It was getting progressively worse and caused chronic pain, so I pulled the trigger and had an open Bankart repair this past October, and I just finished therapy last week. My advice...stay off the skis and get in evaluated by the ortho-pod. If you can get away with an arthroscopic procedure, pull the trigger. If you wait too long (like me) and stay active, you'll just thrash it and the recovery will be more painful and more intense.

Oh...BTW...welcome to the club.