[Closed] Dislocated shoulder - advice please

No idea for the technical term for mine, but it popped out forwards (impact from the back). Nice man in Cirencester minor injuries put it back about an hour later.

I was back on a turbo trainer in 2 weeks (wearing a sling), riding gentle on the road after about 5, off road in 12, mountain mayhem in 13, 12 hour solo at 24/12 in 18. It's been about 14 months now and there's no real difference between the dislocated and non-dislocated shoulders.

Get to a physio as soon as you can - I had a private appointment before the NHS one. Do your exercises when they tell you. Get a cute physio like my NHS one. When I dislocated mine lots of people posted lots of interesting advice about other medical/manipulation methods that had worked well for them - I think Brant was one who had some experience of it.

I kept doing the exercises for about a year after, only stopped as my gym going has been replaced by more bike riding. Strengthening the area around the joint is crucial.

That's really tough!

Loads of useful stuff on the [url= http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/ ]Shoulderdoc [/url] website

beej,

sounds positive. Mine can't be 'Popped in' though as I've apparently severed 2 ligaments unfortunately. The clavicle is now attached to the arm by one ligament only and the whole shoulder has dropped away from the clavicle.

Can't wait to get back on the bike!!

ps, esme-thanks that's a great site!!

Dislocated mine once but it popped straight back in (the pain is magnified by 100 on the inward journey by the way). Currently nursing very sore ribs and right elbow following an inocuous off last Sunday. My thoughts are with you...

It's not nice.
Done mine both sides, left side about 15 years ago, back on bike after about 4-5 weeks and full recovery about 3 months IIRC; no bother at all now. Right side about 10 years ago and still get daily ache from it. Stopped commuting by bike at the time, convinced that getting back on my bike quickly after the left one helped to strengthen the tissue that side - didn't do that for the right side, as said I still get gip.
Ride again. Soon. Gently to start.

Cheers.

Yup, the shoulder is in it's socket already. Its the AC joint that's dislocated-can't 'pop' it!!

Painful but not in the same league as my femur fracture way back.

Confidence is high for a full recovery.

See you on the trails soon 😉

I dislocated mine at CYB over 3 months ago, been back riding for a month now, still really painful though, still have bad nights sleep, still really weak, getting better, but much slower than I thought. I did mine half way round the MBR, it poped back in on its own after a while then I still had to ride round. the real pain didn't really start until the next day, I was in serious agony for around 3 weeks. Don't rush it, and my guess is you won't be able to anyway. I tried going out on the bike a coupld of times during the second month after it happened but there was no way whatsoever that I could even turn the bars. Most of my riding since has been on road, I plan to go to afan next month so not too sure how things will be by then, still sore but ok to ride I should imagine.

Mikertroid - what you describe is surely a shoulder separation rather than a dislocation, in other words where the ligaments connecting the shoulder blade and collar bone stretch or snap and leave you with that nice lump on top of your shoulder?

I did both of mine (in the same crash) about six weeks ago - I was back riding after three weeks but I was crap then and I'm still not much better now. It actually hurts more doing everyday work stuff than when I'm riding but my confidence seems to have taken a huge dent, my mojo has totally deserted me and I don't seem to be able to find it again.....

The thought of another shoulder/tree contact almost brings tears to my eyes, but I suppose it's just an age thing. I always used to be up for trying sketchy lines down steep stuff that everyone else was mincing down but now it seems I'm doomed to join them.....

Andy- ouch!!!

You're right - it's an AC dislocation rather than shoulder dislocation.

I'm praying I get my mojo back as ( despite the crash) we were riding at our best. I made a basic error with body position and was unlucky to hit a metal post.

I've been mtbing for 17 years and have had many stacks- I'm guessing the laws of averages mean that one will be serious from time to time!!

Was looking to change my stumpy fsr 07 for an Orange Five as I felt the body positioning was to 'forward biased' for the steep stuff- now have a genuine excuse!!!

Hope yours recovers further.

I had a dislocated shoulder last year, popped out backwards, popped back in 4 hours later with gas/air combo. Anyhow.
Month 1 - Painful, loss of feeling in one finger and thumb, off work.[manual job] - Physio starts.
Month 2/3 - On holiday, so lots of swimming to aid recovery.
Month 4 - First cycle helped by nurofen gel and Co-dydramol, which I still take for a ride - complete loss of mojo and fitness. I should have used a turbo trainer.
Month 5 - Still no mojo or fitness.
Month 6 - " " "
Motnh 7 - Finger and thumb start working, mojo and fitness return, still hurts though.

ivnickkate

That's not the best!! Sounds like things improving tho'.

Waking up this morning having rolled around a bit last night, it's hard to think it'll be fit for anything. Fracture Clinic on tuesday will be where they decide to operate or not.

Worse things happen at sea I guess!!!

I had an anterior dislocation, basically I hit a tree Left arm went one side if the tree me the other.
Basically a few scans, too risky to have an MRI due to metalwork in my ear. Mine wasnt the classic Fractured dislocation but, Physio stated off the bike for 4 months. I was back mtbing in 8 weeks could have been 6 but as I was off the ward for 8 didnt seem right to be back on the bike till back in work. Get a good physio (difficult). From what I know (ex Trauma Orthopaedic Staff Nurse) Some can remain unstable for a long time and dislocate again and again.
I took Glucoamine and Chondriotin which definately improved my recovery.

I did my right AC joint at Afan. I think was a type/grade 4 or 5 ligament damage - my collar bone stuck out like an egg on top of my shoulder. Swansea A&E gave me pain kiilers and sent me home. Next day went to local A&E had xrays and operated on 2 weeks later by the NHS!!! A great service. Spent 9 weeks in sling. Had physio once out of sling but NHS not good so paid for sports physio and it worked a treat. It was 4 months before got back on a bike with a neoprene shoulder support. Five years on and I have about a 90% shoulder back and it dosent really stop me doing much except had to give up water polo - as it was my throwing arm and kept straining the muscles. No problems on the bike though - but (luckily) havent had a fall on that shoulder yet. Did Kona MAshup Last year, regularly go to Alps, Wales and am doing Pass Portes du Soleil this year.

Good luck with treatment - all I can say is do exactly what the doctors tell you to regarding rest and excercise.

I now take glucosaminesulphate (spelling?) which I think helps the joint.

great stuff.

Am in Forces so have access to some great physios who will want maximum mobility for me so I can do my job. As long as I can get on exercise bike soon to keep my fitness up I'll be happy.

Am taking arnica- will look at glucosamine etc.

Happy trails!!