Skiing with torn labrum (shoulder)

[descender]

I have a detached anterior labrum from 1 – 6 o’clock. No rotator cuff damage.

According to my PT, cuff strength is good but I need to work on ROM.

I plan on skiing 60+ days this winter and getting this fixed in the Spring. I have a brace to prevent my arm from going into abduction and external rotation.

Am I crazy?

[Core Shot]

Nope.
Just watch the pole plants.
Do NOT let your pole get behind you.
(and try not to fall on your shoulder, duh).

There is a debate on open vs. closed surgery. Wife went for closed - slightly longer recovery but more long term strength.

[biggins]

What descender said- you should be fine. Also go without the pole strap on the injured arm- that way if you cartwheel the pole won't pull your arm back and up.

The brace definitely helps- but it isn't failsafe. Still, w/o it I popped my arm out dozens of times, w/ it- maybe twice all last year.

As for open v. closed I'd definitely go for closed- much less invasive and with good PT- much less chance of reinjury.

[LeeLau]

hi - you're better off then me. I have 2 of the 4 ligaments of the rotator cuff torn and am slowly coming back. I'm sure you're already doing the PT thing.

No Pole straps - ever!

I skied 50+ days last season even with shitty PNW season but was really conservative. You should be fine. The worst thing is the mental part - i was very tentative to start and am still a lot more conservative then before. I've never had that much pain before as when I dislocated the shoulder and never want it to happen again.

I'm trying to avoid surgery so am doing rehab and think I will be eventually ok

I did mine biking - how about you?

[descender]

hi - you're better off then me. I have 2 of the 4 ligaments of the rotator cuff torn and am slowly coming back. I'm sure you're already doing the PT thing.

No Pole straps - ever!

I skied 50+ days last season even with shitty PNW season but was really conservative. You should be fine. The worst thing is the mental part - i was very tentative to start and am still a lot more conservative then before. I've never had that much pain before as when I dislocated the shoulder and never want it to happen again.

I'm trying to avoid surgery so am doing rehab and think I will be eventually ok

I did mine biking - how about you?

Yes biking also. I blew it after a jump . The crash wasn't even that bad, so I am amazed I screwed up my shoulder.

I just want the thing to stay together long enough so I can have a good winter.

[Foggy_Goggles]

For my repair, open Bankhart was the only option. I'm 4yrs post-op and my repaired shoulder is 100% if not better. My surgeon is the Avs othopedist so that helps. Don't ski hard back, that's the #1 was to hurt your shoulder.

[descender]

Don't ski hard back, that's the #1 was to hurt your shoulder.

What do you mean by "ski hard back"?

[Vinman]

as long as your shoulder does not feel unstable, as in "feeling like it will dislocte at any minute" you could prolly ski with the brace and have few or no problems. just be aware that if you do fall on that shoulder withy your arm awau from your body you are prolly in for a dislocation.

[Foggy_Goggles]

What do you mean by "ski hard back"?

hard pack, my bust.

[skyrocket101]

I also tore my labrum after the shoulder dislocation 2 years ago. I did PT for about a year and now the shoulder feels better. I'm able to play hockey without the brace and looking forward to ski this season.

Still thinking about getting the surgery done next spring, here is one thing that makes me concerned - what if I dislocate the shoulder again after the surgery, then what?!

[descender]

Still thinking about getting the surgery done next spring, here is one thing that makes me concerned - what if I dislocate the shoulder again after the surgery, then what?!

Once it is repaired it should be less likely to dislocate, but anything is possible, and you can dislocate your non-injured arm as well.

If you can perform your sporting activities with no problems then maybe rehab is good enough for you. I would only get surgery if you think it will improve things significantly, since it is a 4-6+ month project.

Good luck.

[descender]

I also tore my labrum after the shoulder dislocation 2 years ago. I did PT for about a year and now the shoulder feels better. I'm able to play hockey without the brace and looking forward to ski this season.

Hey, do you know the specifics of you Labrum tear? Where is it and how big etc? The fact that you can play hockey is encouraging to me