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Dislocated shoulder for the first time

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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
It hurt so fucking bad now I'm out for a few weeks just curious how long it took people who have done this to recover and be able to ski
Feb 13 2011 6:42PM
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tinkytwinky
Posts: 2450 - Karma: 1,566
mine popped out on the trampoline last summer, but it almost immediately went back in, it was extremely painful for that day and very painful for the following weeks but i think on the 3rd week it was just an ache
Feb 13 2011 6:51PM
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Ilovewhitestuff
Posts: 726 - Karma: 25
give it lots of time to recover, my friend did the same and used it too early, then it popper out again, and again and again, now he needs surgery on it.
Feb 13 2011 7:21PM
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Gharf
Posts: 1390 - Karma: 983
do a lot of physio

when it s healed, do some push ups and pull ups. every day.
mine poped 4 times in my life, and doing pull ups has kept it in for the last 2 seasons..
Feb 13 2011 7:37PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
i used to pop my right one out every few months, and the left one a couple times a week. feels amazing right?

get your shoulders strong by doing all the band exercises, and getting your upper body strong by lifting weight and putting on muscle. I put on about 20lbs of muscle on in the past year, and really pushed my shoulders using the bands, and it has helped soo much.

seriously, when it heals up hit the gym hard and try to put on some upperbody muscle mass.
Feb 13 2011 7:41PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Good luck... You're going to need it.

http://www.tsaog.com/phyForms/Acute%20Anterior%20Shoulder%20Dislocation%20Physical%20Therapy%20Protocol.pdf

That paints a pretty accurate picture. Adolescents see recurrence rates of 92-100%. 21-30 drops to a generally published rate of 67% but some peg it closer to 90%. I would assume some of that reduction is due to an older person changing their lifestyle after the initial dislocation.

I've had 6 ER visits to get my shoulder reduced as I have been unsuccessful at reducing it in the field. I actually am on the downlist right now after dislocating it this past Wednesday. I'm looking at surgery this summer to hopefully tighten everything back up.

I cringe hearing that someone dislocated their shoulder. It's a shitty experience and will never heal on it's own. The damage is typically done that first time, and the joint is now weaker and more prone to dislocations; which starts a vicious cycle.
Feb 13 2011 7:49PM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
jesus i am in almost exactly the same boat as SkierX... i pretty much look at it as an annoyance at this point, popped the right one out (luckily it immediately slid back in in one motion) on tuesday and the left one full came out and despite me and a friends best efforts in the BC to get it back in i had to get to the clinic. it's a shitty thing that's going to happen again (the only way to change that is to stop doing what you're doing, which to me is a complete and utter impossibility). i got back after it today which is not a good idea considering the past week but am willing to deal with the consequences. be careful.
Feb 13 2011 7:55PM
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whitechocolate
Posts: 582 - Karma: 260
make sure when you fall your not putting any pressure on the shoulder.. my friend who snowboards popped his out several times and it became almost a weekly thing because he didnt care for it.
after surgery on the joint, and a switch over to skiing he hasnt had any shoulder problems since
Feb 13 2011 7:55PM
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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
yeah it looks like I might get surgery
Feb 13 2011 7:55PM
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Elmo.
Posts: 4317 - Karma: 663
yea. this is one shitty injury. i got 2 friends who r getting surgery this summer for that. i hear the recovery time is like 3-6 months depending on the situation. so heal up man and do lots of shoulder exercises
Feb 13 2011 7:55PM
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Big_Willy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 6
It depends on your injury as to how long it will take to get back. you definitely don't want to pop it out again (no s##t) as it will almost def. need surgery after that. I would go to a doc to see if you tore anything, and if you did you shouldn't really be skiing or be super careful and ski with a brace. If you didn't tear anything get on a good rehab program and get back out there. After I popped my shoulder I only waited one day or so, but popped it out several times over the season and had to get surgery.
Feb 13 2011 7:59PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
http://www.orthogate.org/patient-education/shoulder/

Also some great info on there. Get to know the joint, and what's up with it. Odds are VERY good that you tore your Labrum as well.

Physical Therapy and streghtening the muscle groups of the shoulder won't hurt, but don't be shocked if you dislocate it again, and again. Surgical repair has the best success rates out of any treatment.

Also have fun with the mental roadblocks that will take a LONG time to get over. My right hand turns are always much more timid due to fear of losing my edge and going down on that arm. The pain from the first dislocation was insane and definitely leaves quite an impression.
Feb 13 2011 8:00PM
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Big_Willy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 6
It depends on your injury as to how long it will take to get back. you definitely don't want to pop it out again (no s##t) as it will almost def. need surgery after that. I would go to a doc to see if you tore anything, and if you did you shouldn't really be skiing or be super careful and ski with a brace. If you didn't tear anything get on a good rehab program and get back out there. After I popped my shoulder I only waited one day or so, but popped it out several times over the season and had to get surgery.
Feb 13 2011 8:00PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
i had my right shoulder capsule tightened up, and labrum fixed plus a general clean out, and i was out for a FULL 6 months. It is one of the most painfull surgeries and recoverys that you can do. it far exceeds ACL, and many more serious surgeries. So dont get hooked on the pills, it a long way outta that hole.

But serioulsy adding muscle mass to your upper body will help keep in in joint.
Feb 13 2011 8:01PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Any ortho who tries to get you back out under 6 months is a quack...

I've had the consultation for the surgery, just haven't bit the bullet yet as it is a terrible time to be one-armed.

My ortho who came highly recommended says I am looking at a solid 6 months before I am cleared for contact sports. First 3 weeks are COMPLETELY immobilized, and then the painful and intensive rehab and PT process begins. He also said that the joint won't truly be 100% until likely 12-18 months.

I've already acknowledged that my park days are long past me (I'm going to be 26 in June anyways, so not like I am a little park-rat anymore). I just want to be able to ski aggresively all over the mountain without having to worry, mountain bike without being petrified of falling, swim normally again, and hell, it would be real nice to be able to throw overhand again too.
Feb 13 2011 8:10PM
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skiskate
Posts: 787 - Karma: 823
Welcome to the club, Mine came out first on Jan 4/2010, since then ive had 3 more dislocations. It now comes out so damn easy its awful. I try to strengthen everything but it does not seem to work.
Feb 13 2011 8:17PM
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dirtylion27
Posts: 403 - Karma: 21
It should be about 3 to 4 weeks, Just take everything really slow and do a lot pt for it. In the long run it will help and you will be thankful.

I separated my shoulder for the first time january of my freshmen year which was 2 years ago, since then Ive done it 5 more times and dislocated it probably over 30, its at a point were i just slip it back in. I have pt twice a week and a partially torn rotator cuff and bicep tendon and will need surgery sometime in the future to fix it. I have pain everyday and It hasn't been 100% since that day.

Shoulder injuries are serious, your shoulder wont be the same for a while just work and do your exercises for pt and for the first two months after take extreme precaution and protect it cuz dislocation is way easier the second time.
Feb 13 2011 8:26PM
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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
thanks guys good info yeah it looks like I'm going to get an MRI and see if I tore anything and odds are I did. The doc told me the new approach for shoulders is to have surgery the first time instead of waiting because the likely hood of doing it again in the next two years is 100 - my age (17) and if I get teh surgery in the next 2 years my chances of doing it again are 3%. All I can tell you is right after i pull it out Tahoe is about to get hammered with snow after being in a drought. Funy thing is I was just dicking around in the park.
Well thanks a lot for the info I'll post if I'm getting surgery and what my recovery time will look like as opposed to not getting surgery.
Feb 14 2011 9:16AM
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White_raven
Posts: 211 - Karma: -62
Mine popped out one time five years ago. Wish it still werent painful :(
Feb 14 2011 10:24AM
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doitbig
Posts: 4818 - Karma: 315
only thing that helped me was surgery and rehab after. although i dislocated my right shoulder a year ago and haven't had any issues whatsoever.
Feb 14 2011 10:31AM
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mmckechnie
Posts: 1483 - Karma: 29
threads for later as I have some stories to share
Feb 14 2011 10:33AM
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jester8589
Posts: 346 - Karma: 15
you never recover. once it comes out it will always come out much easier. surgery helps a tiny bit but over all you will never be 100% again. welcome to the club.
Feb 14 2011 10:39AM
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jester8589
Posts: 346 - Karma: 15
i dont know how old you are but getting surgery young doesnt help much. especially if you plan to continue freestyle skiing. its just going to come out again and youll be back at square one. all of the time and money spent will be for nothing. I had surgery in high school and my shoulder has come out a couple times since then. one for only casing a jump. cased the jump shoulder popped out on impact. you might just want to do physical therapy first and hold off on surgery until you will start taking it easier on the extreme sports.
Feb 14 2011 10:44AM
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fireballin
Posts: 392 - Karma: 13
I dislocated mine a week and a half before a trip to Jackson last year. No way in he'll was I sitting the trip out so I just took it easy and had no problems
Feb 14 2011 10:53AM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
I dislocated mine exactly 2 weeks and a year ago, fucking sucked but while they were moving me onto the ski patrol sled it popped back in. Hurt like hell for a few days but I skied both of the next 2 days no-poles, holding my bad arm with my other arm haha.

Make sure you do your physio and really stay on top of it. I still have problems with mine, it'll probably never completely heal but you can get it to be pretty damn good. The only time I've ever heard of surgery is for people who dislocate theirs like 10 times and start popping it out during daily activities.
Feb 14 2011 11:48AM
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Moosen
Posts: 4285 - Karma: 2,585
Pretty sure i dislocated mine backslapping on a way overotated backflip. But that was atleast a month or two ago and im just now healing. Don't strain it at all too early or you will feel pain. I haven't popped it out since but it still hurts occasionally.
Feb 14 2011 11:52AM
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kimmm
Posts: 141 - Karma: 59
wow this is pretty weird - I was just about to make this same thread! aaand I live in tahoe too, freaky. I just dislocated my shoulder for the first time 2 days ago at heavenly, also just dickin around in the park, and was wondering how long I should take it easy for.. I was hoping to ski by wednesday haha but after reading all this stuff I'm not too sure thats a good idea. SUCKS since we're finally going to get some snowwwww
Feb 14 2011 9:58PM
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terrible_skier
Posts: 2066 - Karma: 226
+ vibes that sucks.
Feb 14 2011 11:04PM
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Jenser
Posts: 375 - Karma: 16
Shoulders suck... Orthopedic surgeons are even worse
Feb 14 2011 11:13PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
I'm also going through the same problem. I dislocated my shoulder for the first time about a month ago, it popped right back in and hurt for a week. I took it easy for a few weeks, and just popped it out again last week. It also feels back to normal again, but I know it will still be easy to pop out so I've started including a solid shoulder regime into my workouts to build up that area. I would also talk to an orthopedic surgeon to see what options are available for bracing it because that can also greatly reduce the risk of re-injury.
Feb 14 2011 11:48PM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
I am just gonna say to all the people who they shoulder felt like it popped out but went right back in you did not dislocate it. You had a sublaxation. It is where the scapula sort of slips around in the socket but never really comes out. Very painfull because it streches nearly every muscle and ligement and tendon in your shoulder. I have chronic anterior should sublaxations. I have probly had it sublax (fells like pop out but goes right back in ) 8 to 10 times. One time twice in a day. I fell on a 270 on and i sublaxed it trying to stop myself. It was probly my worst it was millimeters away from full dislocation. It hurt so bad i could not talk for 30 seconds after i just layed there holding my arm. I thought it was feeling better later that day so i tried a nosebutter hand drag and sublaxed it again severley. It was on the border for probly a second and half. when i popped back in my friend who was skiing next to me like 8 feet away heard it. Just keep that shit strong and you wil be good.
Feb 14 2011 11:54PM
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Tanner-D
Posts: 2061 - Karma: 4,116
Well it all depends on if I tore anything in my shoulder. If I just stretched stretched everything and didn't tear anytime I might just do the phys therapy but if I tore shit up I probs going to get the surgery Getting an MRI soon to decide my fate soon and yeah I'm going to focus on filming for the rest of the season when I get back then go after it next season
Feb 15 2011 12:00AM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
I got an MRI for my shoulder lst week too. does anybody know how the headphones work cuz wouldnt the MRI fuck with the magnets in the headphones?
Feb 15 2011 12:07AM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
Don't let it get in your head too much, your shoulder is definitely going to take a beating from skiing but just make sure u keep up with pt and strengthening it, odds are if you're range of motion is good now and u can prevent popping it our again you will be good to go
Feb 15 2011 12:10AM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
I'll post here when I'm near a computer later. Feel free to pm me, I had the whole 17 year old gets surgery after the first time deal.
Feb 15 2011 3:55AM
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wells11490
Posts: 19 - Karma: 9
Now that it's popped out once, it'll keep happening.. give it a couple weeks then try to build all the muscles around it.. good luck i've done both of mine probably 3 times each
Feb 15 2011 12:13PM
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Badfish2
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 21
I'm on 10 now.  Fuck it comes to mind.  I've dislocated it stretching for christ-sake.
The doctor doesn't suggest surgery because even with the fix, I'm bound to do it again.  So I'll have to wait until I slow down.
Feb 15 2011 12:21PM
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Kapital
Posts: 504 - Karma: 38
Last year I did a back flip at the end of the day and was just a little to tired and didnt make it around. I landed on my face/chest. Dislocated both shoulders then I rolled over and felt them pop back in. Needless to say it hurt like a bitch. I made my way to the lodge sore and not having a good time. Got there, put my skis on the rack. went inside for 10 minutes. Came back out and come one had stolen my skis. it was such a good day........./sarcasm
Feb 15 2011 12:50PM
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Oaks
Posts: 157 - Karma: 15

I have been nursing a shoulder injury for years. It didn't even come from skiing, it was weightlifting that killed me.

People argue that a shoulder injury can be worse than a knee because of its overall range of motion. Anytime you start messing with the rotator cuff, you're looking at a long recovery. What's most important is to try and strengthen the rotator. Talk to your local shoulder specialist and they'll probably put you on a light rubber band workout. Take your time homie

Feb 15 2011 1:03PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
Let that shit heal, I have a terrible shoulder that pops out constantly, the labrum (cup that the ball sits in) is getting destroyed in the back so the only thing holding my shoulder together is muscle.

Don't fuck around with shoulders, most people dont take them seriously cause they arent knees and you don't need them to ski, don't be those people, like me.
Feb 15 2011 1:41PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
same. i was told i could keep playing baseball because the labrum couldnt be torn anymore than it already was. its alot of fun when it comes out when bench pressing

Feb 15 2011 2:28PM
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