I dislocated my shoulder 2 years ago playing football, I had to visit the A&E to have it put back. After 3 months of physio I returned to sport with full range of movement and no pain. To be honest I thought it was as good as it was before the accident until last weekend when I dislocated it again! I now have an MRI scan booked for next week with the opinion of the Doc is that I will probably need an op to gain full confidence and strength. Has any one had this operation and what the out come was?

I had partial dislocation (a skier hit me from behind)and 2 weeks later- complete dislocation of right shoulder (motorcycle accident). it was unusual posterior type (2% of all cases). Theoretically this type is less traumatic, usually doesn't require surgery and has better prognosis. However, after 9 weeks after the trauma I can't barely use my arm, turn ignition on using my left hand. I don't have my pain in a joint, mostly muscle spasms.My orthopedist is disapointed with my slow progress.
I am 42 y.o. and in a good shape. I've been in physical therapy 3 times a week for3-4 weeks. I've made some progress but very little. it makes me very sad. I can't do home renovations, won't be back to riding soon and won't be brave to snoaboarding again.

My husbsand waited a while before he had his surgery...He found numbness in his arm...Sometimes could not open the window of the car..Not reach up to the drive up banking...It takes a very long time to recover...

Good luck,
Caroline

Dislocated my shoulder 4 months ago, doctor said I didn't need surgery. Now the healed shoulder is one and a half inches higher than the other and I can't reach anything above my head. Has anybody else had this?

WEll, all these posts are very interesting. I am a 52 year old and dislocated my shoulder at the beginning of February - I did it by tripping over my husbands briefcase in our hall way! I wouldn't say I'm in pain now but I live with a constant ache and can't do without painkillers. I have tried but the pain returns. I have a fairly full range of movement but it's going that 'extra mile' which is very difficult. Physio once a week and lots of follow up exercises have helped but the big thing for me has been HYDROTHERAPY - on the NHS at my local hospital. I recommend this to everyone as miraculously once in the warm water doing the exercises become pain free. Try it!

Wow, isn't it strange just how varied the experiences recovering from this, regardless of what age? I'm 22, I dislocated my shoulder playing football/soccer on the 1st of Feb, and by 22nd June I still only have 90% of movement. It is frustrating. I can however put my arm above my head, however this seemed to take forever, literally 2 1/2-3 months before I could even do that. However, I have had a little physiotherapy and I think thats the reason for an even more prolonged recovery. Don't slouch on the physiotherapy/exercises like me if you can help it. I just hope another month (and maybe another visit to the physio) and it should all be okay. But heck, it takes a lot longer than you would expect for a MINOR INJURY!

I have a lot of experience in dislocation shoulders, I'd say between my two shoulders they have probably dislocated at least 60 times over the past 17 years. First happened snow skiing after a bad fall and then with football, hockey and basketball they just kept doing it. I've had 2 surgeries on each shoulder to try and fix them. So far the left one seems pretty good but the right one all of a sudden started dislocating again last year. It has dislocated 16 times in the last 12 months and I am going in for surgery once again in a few days. Hopefully this will stop it as they are saying it is the last surgery then can do for it.

As for people who are asking how long it takes to recover from a shoulder dislocation.....it all depends on the situation. The quicker it gets put back in the joint the better it is going to be. I've been back playing hockey 2 weeks after dislocating if it gets put back in within an hour or so. But if it is out for 3 hours then the recovery time is a lot longer, like 6 weeks at least.

My one piece of advice to anyone who has dislocated their shoulders is to take your time coming back. It does suck having to be out for 6 or 8 weeks or what ever but it is a much shortly recovery then if you have to have surgery. My recovery time after this surgery is 6 weeks of immoblization, then physio starts 2hours a day 3 days a week, at 3 month mark I can ride the exercise bike, 4 to 5 months I can start light jogging, 7 months I can start lifting in the gym again and then about the 9 month mark i will be able to start skating and playing hockey again. So in the long run, 6 to 8 weeks is a pretty easy recovery.


Ryan

My poor mum (active and indomitable but osteoporotic 78 year-old) dislocated her right shoulder this morning when she had a fall - excruciating agony for three-plus hours before it was popped back in (with the aid of a morphine injection and entonox) only to dislocate again within half an hour and have to go through the whole traumatic 'relocation' nightmare again! I am now quite worried about her chances for a good and reasonably pain-free recovery and avoiding permanent disability. Any elderly-specific advice out there?

I got attacked in Flint, Michigan by 5 teenagers. They jumped me and robbed me of $200 in my wallet. During the ambush, they tackled me causing me to fall to the floor. I had my arm "out-reached" to help protect me from the fall, but apparently this caused my shoulder to dislocate.

I took an ambulance to the ER where my shoulder was "reduced". It was about 3 hours since the dislocation. I'm 6'5" tall and 300lbs and wearing the sling that the ER gave me was a burden. I always needed someone to put it on for me.

Anyways, it's been 2 weeks and my orthopedic surgeon only gave me x-rays to make sure my shoulder wasnt dislocated , and was reduced properly.

Im 35 years old and this is my first shoulder dislocation. When I asked him for an MRI, he got upset because he knew i researched shoulder dislocations o nthe internet. He told me that he wants to see if my shoulder heals on its own, then there will be no need for an MRI.

He also said that an MRI might "cloud" the diagnosis? What does that mean? How can an MRI possibly be a negative thing?

So far, all i have i scelebrex, and he told me to do the pendulum excercises at home. I have no physical therapy and no MRI. My right shoulder is still in pain. The doctor said it will take 3 months for the pain to go away.

Should I get a secong opinion? Why is my orthopedic surgeon being so hard-headed against giving me an MRI?

If you still have pain after a few weeks of PT - without tons of progress - insist on a MRI (arhro?).

Disloacted my shoulder and unfortunatly fractured it as well when it popped out, been in a sling now for 3 weeks and looking forward to getting into the physio, should be on the up and up come 2/3 months time . . . . .Heres Hoping!

Just shy of my 48th birthday my son and I went skateboarding. I landed on my left shoulder really hard and dislocated the shoulder. Unfortnately my son is 15 a can not drive so I waited in my car for about 45 minutes before my older son was able to pick us up. In the emergency room the doctor and assistant were able gently pull and rotate until it popped back into place. My left elbow was dislocated back in 99 with surgery for a stretch brachial artery, so I was concerned about causing further damage to my left elbow. I have been using the sling 70% of time since the injury and taking ibuprofen regularly. I am an electrician in a manufacturing company so physical labor is a must. Hopefully I can return to work within 3-4 weeks. Injured 10 days ago. Does this sound to short of a recovery?

Hi Everyone,

It is good to read these stories! Thank you!

I am 2 weeks post-dislocation and trying to stay focused on the big picture.

I am 35 years old, a professionally trained dancer and currently studying and training in ballroom dance. I am a highly active person, cross training daily at the gym and doing martial arts to reinforce the strength needed to dance/compete.

Recently I hurt my shoulder for the first time sparring in a martial arts class. There was no dislocation at the time but the arm went "dead" for a few minutes before returning to life. It felt strained, but then OK and I resumed training, slowed it down a bit and tried to listen to my body ( poorly- I believe now!).

The dislocation happened while social dancing at a salsa club. I was rotated in an opposite direction while my arm stayed in another and POP! The arm was like a lever, and the shoulder came up. Oh man...I can say that after having two children, the pain of dislocation is right up there. Thank god for sedatives.

I am wearing my sling and waiting for an MRI. I am continuing to dance (legs only and core-hey! ironically a good training exercise to learn to rely less on use of arms and more on other types of connection and strength from the floor). I am going to the gym daily for cardio (eliptical, stationary bike, abs) while wearing that blasted sling. Doctors orders:)

It is really helping to keep the endorphins flowing and stay head strong.

After the first week, there was no pain in the biceps, triceps, upper arm or shoulder but I have neuropathic pains in my forearm and wrist. Nerve damage? I guess I will find out. I use Traumeel on it daily- a great natural anti-inflammatory product. I am allergic to all the NSEDS.

I started PT last week and have to sit around for two more weeks before I can start to leave the sling-zone and get this thing moving.

I understand that it is going to be 3 months before I can be back training the way I was but my biggest fear is re-disolcation and starting over. So far surgery was not recommended. I hope only 3 months-but reading these stories-I better prepare myself for possibly longer recovery times.

Any suggestions out there for healing? New wave treatements?


Thanks for reading...

I dislocated my shoulder a week and half ago due to a fall. I am 69 years old and very active usually. My dislocated was with the arm facing upward and my hand behind my head. I only used the sling for about 4 days. i dangle my hand and make round motions often during the day as I really don't want a "frozen shoulder". My ortho is aware of my approach and doesn't think it will be a problem. I have most of my pain at night and sort of dread going to bed. He did tell me my should will be normal at 6 weeks. Doesn't sound like that is the experience of most. Somewhat anxious about the length of recovery discussed in this forum.

I hear you on this whole length of time thing, "Jgvneagu". Scary reading some of these blogs.

I was told to wear that sling to protect from re-dislocation while the shoulder is healing and still unstable. It is not my desire at all to wear it either, but I figure my orthopod/shoulder specialist knows best!

What are you taking at night to help you sleep? Are you wearing your sling at night?

Sounds like everyone's recovery time varies depending on the specifics of the trauma, underlying damage and down time alloted.

Stay hopeful! If you are very active and strong you will recover quickly:) I am hoping to as well.

Good luck!!

When my husband had his surgeries on both shoulders, he slept sleeping in one of our chairs that raises a person up in the air...He found that this was so much more comfortable than laying in bed...He would position it up so that there would be no strain on the shoulder muscles...He, too, hated the sling...Sometimes I believe this was one of the most difficult parts of the whole surgery for him to accept and not get rid of...Believe me, we had many arguments over this......Take care...

Caroline

I dislocated my shoulder, and obtained a bankart lession, 3 months ago. I am still doing OT, but I feel like I have not improved over the last few weeks. I still don't have full range of motion in my arm and I still feel pain/slipping in my shoulder even when I am not doing anything to it. How long will this last? Will I ever have my arm back?

I severely dislocated my shoulder 9 weeks ago in a motorcycle accident, completely tearing the ligaments and had surgery the next morning. One screw that was removed last week, one pin or figure eight wire that needs to stay in for two years. I can then decide whether to have it removed or just leave it.

The first 8 weeks I was in a sling. When the screw was removed I got to get rid of the sling but was then put in a shoulder harness of sorts, looks like I am wearing a backpack but no pack...gets some funny looks to say the least.

Three weeks from now I am to begin a month of rehab to get back range of motion. Then the surgeon is saying another 6 months before going back to the gym.

All of it has been uncomfortable to say the least. Early morning is not too bad but by the end of the day my shoulder and back are sore and stiff.

Worst part for me has been that I have a daughter going on 3 that I can't pick up. I miss that the most.

But I am going to take a very cautious approach and do only as the doctor tells me...SLOW. But I figure I have made it this far so I can do it...on the other hand I can't wait to get back in the gym and in the surf to catch some waves.

Oh yeah and no more motorcycles...