Dislocated Shoulder - recovery

[wtrskior]

So I've just dislocated my right shoulder (right handed - LFF), along with a small fracture in the humeral head from the fall (was not skiing). Docs dont think surgery will be required, I'm 35 and healthy never dislocated before. Have had other minor shoulder injuries, and was feeling better than ever up til now... Fluke accident and a new ski to boot :(

 

Unfortunately my upcoming spring trip to Florida will be canceled but I'm more concerned with getting back on the water At some point this summer and it recurring again.

 

Any tips for recovery, rehab and timeline for a fellow skier?

[34mph]

Go see a physical therapist for a quicker recovery!

[B_S]

Yep, find a good sports related PT, and explain that you are a slalom skier (and what that entails if they're not familiar). They can then set you up with a program based on your particular needs and goals.

 

[SkiJay]

Wow, REALLY sorry to hear that @wtrskior! I shattered my humeral head into four pieces and completely dislocated the whole mess waterskiing Aug. 19, 2009. That season was done, but I was skiing again by March the next year, and considered it 99% within two years. I did TONS of physiotherapy with a therapist for the first six months, then continued "pushing into the pain" in the gym for a couple of years after that. Now, it's my good shoulder, so don't lose hope.

 

I did rehurt my shoulder doing a deep water start about ten months after the injury, so I started using a Goode PowerVest and never hurt the shoulder again, not starting and not taking hits. I used the PowerVest for three years, but probably could have stopped after two seasons.

 

I've heard that whatever healing you can accomplish in two years is all you are going to get. All of physio-directed exercise I could stand and a PowerVest may have been overkill, but it worked wonders for me. Good luck @wtrskior.

[34mph]

I 2nd the power vest. It really helped me through a back injury and could see how it would help your shoulder. Just need to get that thing strong so you don't keep on dislocation!

[Skoot1123]

Sorry to hear @wtrskior! While I haven't dislocated my shoulder I did separate my shoulder last year in March. I went skiing about 10 weeks later with no issues. I went to an orthopedic surgeon/specialist who knew what activity level I was doing (skiing, P90X,1,2 - now 3) and what age I was - 32, and he said no surgery, rest a bit and do as much as you can comfortably. I didn't even see a physical therapist. Currently have no issues with that shoulder.

 

Obviously your case is a bit different - but I'm sure your doc and/or PT will give you some exercises to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder to keep the joint in place. Trust you have a quick recovery!!

[wtrskior]

Thanks guys. I'm famuliar with physio and athletic therapy and know a few places to go. Trying to stay positive and realize I shouldn't push skiing or even think about for months. I need to get in better shape anyways, will try to use this injury as motivation.

 

The powervest might be an option, and I'll be saving money skiing!

[Klundell]

I dislocated a shoulder waterskiing. I was skiing again 8 weeks later but it was much longer before I was comfortable with my arm over my head. Thanks to a good PT and some recent crossfit it is really strong now and has never dislocated again.

[DLskier]

I feel your pain. I had two Bankart repairs (right shoulder) in high school due to multiple shoulder dislocations and dislocated my left shoulder this past summer on a fall with my arm extended going at 3 ball.

 

I was back skiing 3 weeks after the dislocation (I know not your typical recovery period, but I had equal strength on each side and figured summer is too short to not ski). My wife is a PT and she put me on a pretty aggressive exercise routine as soon as I could tolerate it. Be sure that your PT has you working on scapular stabilization exercises as they are a huge part of shoulder stability. I also skied with a Sulley shoulder brace, which is a neoprene brace that can be used multiple ways to limit external rotation (the motion that often times causes dislocations).

 

Good luck in your recovery. Hit the gym hard and hopefully you will be ready to hit the water in no time!

[wtrskior]

I'm only 3 days in and better but will be immobilized for 2 weeks at least until my next Dr appointment. Still can't feel Much touch on the outside of my deltoid. Lots if muscle and nerve spasms down my arm.

 

How long until you guys were able to start physio and were out of your slings?

[Klundell]

Are you saying you can't feel touch sensation on the skin over the deltoid? If so I would make sure you tell your Dr. that immediately. Most likely the axillary nerve just got damaged a little during the dislocation but it could have gotten impinged in the relocation process of the humeral head. Just make sure your Dr. knows about that symptom.

[wtrskior]

they know and it should return to normal in a few weeks im told. this was a full dislocation with hill sachs, which is a fracture of the humeral head, its going to take a while to heal.

[behindpropellers]

Please take the time to heal. You need to make it as strong as possible. I have had severe shoulder dislocation problems. I have to work pretty hard at keeping strong. One of the books I have about shoulders has a chart in it. As you get beyond your first dislocation, the chances of it happening again go up and up. Get ahead while you can.

 

Tim

[GMC]

@wtrskior, we are in the same boat. You are the mirror image of me... I'm 38, left-handed, RFF, and dislocated my right shoulder on 3/4. I don't have any fracture of the humeral head but also have little/no feeling in my deltoid and occasional tingly fingers. My doctor described the same thing that @Klundell‌ mentioned and has prescribed an MRI arthrogram to check for a SLAP tear, he said that if it's bad we should fix it before starting PT as a slalom reach is a vulnerable position. He also said I could ditch the sling in "controlled situations" (home, office, etc) as long as I kept my hands and arms in front of me. After a couple days of that, it feels really loose so I think I'm putting the sling back on. I'm icing it as much as possible.

 

Best of luck in your recovery, keep us posted. I'm not in a hurry as there is 2 feet of snow and 2 feet of ice that isn't leaving any time soon. Hopefully ready to go in early May.

[wtrskior]

@GMC‌

How long ago did you have your accident?

 

My family doctor says 6 weeks to heal. 4-6 months or more to be back to normal. No physio until 2 weeks in..

[GMC]

My accident was 3/4.

[wtrskior]

Thought I'd bump this to he top to see if there are any other ballers that have gone through this.

 

I'm making progress, started physio a few weeks ago which is helping tremendously. My deltoid is still angry as my therapist says. Just working on some minor movements and getting things moving a bit more. I will be in the along for another week or 2 when out of the house.

 

Whoever was back on the water in under 3 months must not have injured themselves as severely as I have because I don't see how I'll be able to do much before 4 months at the earliest. 5-6 more likely before I can ski again.

 

Some good news according to my PT is my dislocation was posteriorly while skiing pulls from the anterior. Less aggravating or prone to future dislocations.

[Marco]

I had a severe dislocation in 2010 caused by falling at 3 ball while in full reach. My arm was torn out of the socket and was stuck at 90 degrees coming out of where my armpit used to be. Completely torn labrum, rotator cuff, and biceps tendon. It took 6 hours of surgery to repair.

 

I was not allowed to do anything with my arm for 3 months, it was 7 months before I was allowed to use it normally, and 9 months before I was allowed to ski again.

 

Be faithful with your PT. I did an hour every morning and every night for 9 months straight, on top of going to the physical therapist twice a week for 7 months. Now my repaired shoulder is much better than my other one. Stick with your rehab and good luck on your recovery!

[TravisNW]

Get the book "becoming a supple leopard". It is a great book for performance, maintenance and rehab. Learning to stabilize the upper and lower body and to align and brace the core is the underlying theme but in addition Kelly Starrett has excellent mobilization techniques that should speed up and most thoroughly complete recovery. These include flossing with a voodoo band (great for inflammation, ungluing tissues and promoting rom) smashing with lacrosse ball and barbells to the direct area including joint capsule then upstream or downstream to surrounding areas because the whole shoulder and arm complex must be treated. Anyways I could go on forever just check it out.

[tewbert]

All excellent comments. I dislocated my right shoulder twice (about 20yrs apart though) on offside falls. Both times, the shoulder remained dislocated until an emergency room visit (no surgeries either time). Back on the course 6 months later each time. Follow your PTs instructions and don't rush it. I've always been a gym rat and strengthening and stabilization exercises for your shoulder should be second nature like brushing your teeth. I'm 50 and never have been a tournament skier so I have no problem passing up that last ball if a pass doesn't look good. I've also trained myself to snap my arms in on many falls which helps on many of my average spills. I still recognize that this is a dangerous sport and accepting risk comes with the territory. Good luck in your recovery!

[Bdecker]

Just did mine yesterday... Seeing ortho early next week, hoping for a straightforward recovery but I assume 2016 season is done... Don't know much except that it hurt like crazy and I was glad they knocked me out to pop it back in!

[wtrskior]

@Bdecker lots of good advice in this thread. Follow your PT and begin it within 2 weeks post accident so frozen shoulder doesn't set in like I had.

 

I'm 2.5 years post njury and started skiing seriously at 6 months. I'm now skiing better than ever. Good luck and heal up

[ktm300]

@Bdecker As all of the comments above suggest, you will be fine. Every time I get hurt I first see the Dr. then talk to skiers. The skiers' prognoses are most always more positive and, so far, more accurate. The positive comments from other skiers have always been so helpful. Mindset is a huge part of the equation. I dislocated my left shoulder and skied six weeks to the day. Took a while longer to reach maximum recovery but, eventually all good. Good luck.

[rayn]

@Bdecker sorry to hear this. Heal up.

[Shell]

Hes is a quick recap of my shoulder (left)history injury:

Injured my shoulder in my ice Hockey game in about "05" dislocated it....was able to put it back in myself....ever since the initial injury it has continuted to dislocate more and more, easier and easier. Everytime i dislocated it it gets more and more difficult to put back in and its very painful...i went to finally get it checked out and i have a torn labrum, bone spurs and my tendions are shot....dr. says surgery:((((......i put it off...shoulder continues to dislocate...mainly with contact....(barefooting, skiing, hockey and even once rolling over in bed on it)....after it dislocates, it takes a good 4 weeks until it is no longer sore and i have movement back....yet....i have lots of cracking, poping and sudden pain/pinching inside the shoulder......finally i schedule surgery in "15" i figure ill play hard...if it comes out ill get it fixed before surgery date, if not, ill go in as planned. Well..of course, my shoulder had absoluyly no problems, and i skied the best year ever. When time to have surgery me and the Dr. Re-evaluated the surgery...Dr. said i need it...shoulder is unstable and will only get worse with less and less mobility

Call me dumb....i have yet to have surgery.....it only bothers me when and after i dislocate....other than that its almost like new, i would say i have 90% mobility with it now...i know i need surgery but im just not ready....my mindset is ill have surgery when i dislocate it and cant get it back in....i know as an athlete thats not the correct way of thinking...but im so active i struggle to take time off, i did take the first half of my hockey season off last year to rest it, but in the end i couldnt stand it and finished out the season...as with your injury...definitely needs medical attention....good luck and hope your back on the water asap....

[Razorskier1]

@Shell -- I'd get it fixed if I was you. I had a dislocation over 30 years ago that acted similarly. Dislocated over and over again despite PT. Had a repair done that most doctors don't do anymore (Bristow Procedure). It's a rock solid way to avoid future dislocations, but it isn't anatomically the right way to do it. Nevertheless, that shoulder is rock solid. Never had another problem. I know of one other skier whose doctor had him do this procedure just recently because his problems were so bad. He has recovered well and has no issues. Just sayin . . . you have a long life -- a year off skiing is worth it if it buys you 10 more years skiing.

[Shell]

@Razorskier1 you are right...and i do know this. Im told my shoulder will be like new...

I have a fellow skier friend who has had both her shoulders done and rips it on the course now...stronger than ever...thanks for the encouragement...

[spicoli]

I also had about 9 dislocation and was able to put back myself tell the last 1 I stuck my arm in at 2 ball had to be knocked out at emergency room to get it back .never surgery lots of popping but doc told me the only thing about getting old u get stiff so I'm 58 it's been 20 yrs since my last (knock on wood) .my arm always got so stiff I couldn't move it for 2 weeks and hurt damn. I had at least 6 weeks to go back to work and 3 mths to ski.take your time get it back strong it takes a while.Im sure everyone's is different .

[Razorskier1]

@Shell - I've had a lot of surgeries -- shoulders, knees, spine, biceps tendon, etc. Always figure if they can make it better and I rehab correctly, then I get to ski a lot longer.

[Boo]

Reviving old thread. I dislocated my shoulder slalom skiing on Thursday. First time doing so. Hurt like heck. ER docs put it back in socket and everything is good. It was out about 3 hours. Unfortunately, I cannot see orthopedic doctor until the 25th and I’m supposed to use sling until that time. Looks like I’m missing Regionals and Nationals but want to ski Sr PanAms mid September. Does this seem reasonable?  Also, would like to do gentle arm movements given I will not get PT referral until seeing doctor.  Thoughts on my beginning gentle movements now.  BTW, I’m 74 female and ski all 3 events. Suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks. 

[lpskier]

We lost a M9 jumper to a dislocation yesterday. Poor guy. 

[Zoro957]

Wait until you see the Ortho.  There can be real damage that the ER did not see.  I dislocated and broke the shoulder.  Later discovered the rotator cuff was torn as well as a torn labrum and severed bicep tendon.  ER only deals with the urgent things

[Rednucleus]

Have you used a PT before - if so contact them, maybe they can give you some advise - I would think almost 2 wks in a sling w/o some gentle motion would not do you any good.

Edited July 15, 2023 by Rednucleus

[Killer]

20 hours ago, Boo said:

Reviving old thread. I dislocated my shoulder slalom skiing on Thursday. First time doing so. Hurt like heck. ER docs put it back in socket and everything is good. It was out about 3 hours. Unfortunately, I cannot see orthopedic doctor until the 25th and I’m supposed to use sling until that time. Looks like I’m missing Regionals and Nationals but want to ski Sr PanAms mid September. Does this seem reasonable?  Also, would like to do gentle arm movements given I will not get PT referral until seeing doctor.  Thoughts on my beginning gentle movements now.  BTW, I’m 74 female and ski all 3 events. Suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks. 

It really depends on what your Ortho says.

Id doubt they would recommend it especially at your age if you want to recover.

You will likely have to deal with frozen shoulder after a few weeks of sling.  I did.   See if you can get into see a doc asap for some recommendations to prevent things like frozen shoulder and what movements you may be able to do before the Ortho appointment and physio starts.

 

Take it slow and listen to the pros!

[tjs1295]

I’m speaking as someone who has dealt with multiple bilateral shoulder dislocations, and labrum repairs in my 20’s and 30’s. Coming back from your injury in approximately eight weeks seems extremely ambitious. Then again, everyone is different. 

[Boo]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Sounds like I need to be more patient but it is tough to do so. I’m obsessed with waterskiing. 

[adkh2oskier]

On 7/15/2023 at 2:05 PM, Boo said:

Reviving old thread. I dislocated my shoulder slalom skiing on Thursday. First time doing so. Hurt like heck. ER docs put it back in socket and everything is good. It was out about 3 hours. Unfortunately, I cannot see orthopedic doctor until the 25th and I’m supposed to use sling until that time. Looks like I’m missing Regionals and Nationals but want to ski Sr PanAms mid September. Does this seem reasonable?  Also, would like to do gentle arm movements given I will not get PT referral until seeing doctor.  Thoughts on my beginning gentle movements now.  BTW, I’m 74 female and ski all 3 events. Suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks. 

My 2 cents.  I dislocated my shoulder 2yrs ago at a tournament.(July 2021)  First time, I was 64 then. Hurt like hell until it was put back in by the ER doc a couple hours later.  i used the sling for a week or so but couldn't see a doc for 3 weeks. Physical exam by P.A.  By then the pain was gone and I only used the sling for a week, got some PT exercises and stretches and it felt better within a month. Started free skiing about 2 months out and it felt ok. But ended up getting an MRI, turns out there was a big tear in the top Rotator cuff tendon and partial tear in the bicep tendon.  Still felt ok and thought I would see how it felt in the spring. But took a minor fall snow skiing which resulted in second dislocation. i was  shocked how easily it popped out of the socket, didn't even hurt that much. But it hurt by the time i got to the ER a couple hours later.  

I wouldn't think skiing tournaments in mid Sept would be a good idea.  Get the MRI and a good Ortho doc.  I ended up having surgery in June 2022. No fun but ended up good after 6 months of PT. Full ROM and strength.  Skiing again this spring, don't even notice the shoulder.   

Problem is at this age, you get one thing fixed and something else seems to go wrong. Kind of like keeping an old car running.  Have only skied a few times this season, started having first time ever issue w Sciatica pain just after snow ski season ended in April   Getting PT for that now but it seems to be lingering way to long for for me.  Can't seem to catch a break. 

Good luck, hope you get back on the water asap, but don't rush it. 

[adkh2oskier]

My 2 cents.  I dislocated my shoulder 2yrs ago at a tournament.(July 2021)  First time, I was 64 then. Hurt like hell until it was put back in by the ER doc a couple hours later.  i used the sling for a week or so but couldn't see a doc for 3 weeks. Physical exam by P.A.  By then the pain was gone and I only used the sling for a week, got some PT exercises and stretches and it felt better within a month. Started free skiing about 2 months out and it felt ok. But ended up getting an MRI, turns out there was a big tear in the top Rotator cuff tendon and partial tear in the bicep tendon.  Still felt ok and thought I would see how it felt in the spring. But took a minor fall snow skiing which resulted in second dislocation. i was  shocked how easily it popped out of the socket, didn't even hurt that much. But it hurt by the time i got to the ER a couple hours later.  

I wouldn't think skiing tournaments in mid Sept would be a good idea.  Get the MRI and a good Ortho doc.  I ended up having surgery in June 2022. No fun but ended up good after 6 months of PT. Full ROM and strength.  Skiing again this spring, don't even notice the shoulder.   

Problem is at this age, you get one thing fixed and something else seems to go wrong. Kind of like keeping an old car running.  Have only skied a few times this season, started having first time ever issue w Sciatica pain just after snow ski season ended in April   Getting PT for that now but it seems to be lingering way to long for for me.  Can't seem to catch a break. 

Good luck, hope you get back on the water asap, but don't rush it. 

[bkreis]

@Boomake sure you get an mri, I train and do post rehab/medical conditions, so I can help.

dm me if you'd like. we can do virtual rehab if as well.

[ktm300]

@bkreis is hugely knowledgeable and has helped me rehab/recover from a host of injuries through the years.  Whenever I get hurt, he is one of the first calls I make.

[Boo]

@adkh2oskier thanks for feedback and suggestions. Helpful to get info regarding personal experiences with dislocation. Will definitely ask to have MRI scheduled when I see ortho on Tuesday.  @bkreis I will be in touch.