Shoulder reco questions

[sucker_punch]

My shoulder is messed as. Ive dislocated/subluxed it many times, done the physio and that, and then when im told it should be right, it gets dislocated again (im a boxer/ex rugby player)

Physio says he thinks it is a rotator cuff injury, though a scan will tell us whats really going on.. So im going to see an orthopedic surgeon soon, and im pretty sure i want surgery.

My question is, if i get surgery (not sure whether open or arthroscopic yet) whats the chance it wont fix the problem? assuming i do all the rehab properly and that.
Also, how much wasting of the joint am i likely to be looking at during this period?

Thanks

[kjwilkin]

My shoulder is messed as. Ive dislocated/subluxed it many times, done the physio and that, and then when im told it should be right, it gets dislocated again (im a boxer/ex rugby player)

Physio says he thinks it is a rotator cuff injury, though a scan will tell us whats really going on.. So im going to see an orthopedic surgeon soon, and im pretty sure i want surgery.

My question is, if i get surgery (not sure whether open or arthroscopic yet) whats the chance it wont fix the problem? assuming i do all the rehab properly and that.
Also, how much wasting of the joint am i likely to be looking at during this period?

Thanks

Hi there,

If I was you I'd also go and see a good sports physician. They may have some other ideas. Think physios have their place, but you really need a doctor to give you a proper diagnosis. They can also order the appropriate scans. John Best in Sydney specialises in Rugby injuries I think. Also David Hughes in Canberra specialises in Rugby injuries and is good with shoulders. I used to see him in London when he worked over there.

I'm having right shoulder stabilisation surgery in October for multi-directional instability. My shoulder is quite unstable and pops out in a number of different directions. I had the other shoulder done about 3 years ago and have had no problems since. It took at least 6 months to get the shoulder right and a bit longer to be back to normal again.

Have been trying conservative treatment on my right shoulder for about two and a half years. Tried dry needling, physio, pilates and massage. I've found the dry needling and pilates to be the most effective. Pilates has been really good to strengthen up my shoulder. That's something a good sports physician may recommend. I have an added complication in that I have loose ligaments. So, it makes it really hard if I don't get it to work with exercises. Hence, I'm going to have the operation to tighten up my shoulder joint so the muscles don't have to work nearly as hard.

You'd have some muscle wasting after the surgery, but it doesn't take long for it to come back again.

It depends on the individual, but there's a pretty good chance the problem will be fixed. With my shoulder there is a chance that it could pop out the other side, but only a small chance. I'm prepared to have the operation so I won't be in so much pain and will be able to do normal things again, like doing the shopping.

Not sure on shoulder specialists in NSW, but you'll find some names of good surgeons on this website.

Good luck ! Let us know how it goes.

[sillyshoulder84]

kjwilkin - my gosh, we sound like twins! i have just had my third operation last wednesday (hence bad typing - one handed) due to repeat sub laxing/dislocations but having loose ligaments to start with (Buford complex?)

good luck with your operation!

[Margie]

Hi there.
I am a physio specialising in shoulder injuries and recurrent shoulder dislocations. I have designed and patented a neoprene shoulder brace that can be worn during sport to reduce the risk of dislocation. Orthopaedic surgeons refer patients in NZ for the brace, and some of my clients refuse surgery and just use the brace instead.
Check out www.flawlessmotion.com/catalog for more details

Cheers

Margie

[steve_q]

sp,
you need an op, if you had so many dislocations it means that the ligaments are not tight enough to keep the head of the humerus in its proper place.
Arthroscopy works fine in these cases and of course your surgeon will check the tendons and fix them too if there is a problem. I have read that such problems have a high percentage rate of sucess, almost 93%.
You may lose some range of motion because the doctor might tight the ligaments a little more in order to avoid further dislocations but it won't bother you long term especially in your boxing.
If it is only the ligaments Rehab can take up to six months, if tendons are involved too it will take longer.

[kjwilkin]

It often depends on the individual situation as to what your shoulder surgeon will do.

If you have loose ligaments they may do a capsular shift which is quite a common operation for unstable shoulders. They could also close the interval like they did on mine as my shoulder was one of the loosest my shoulder surgeon had seen.

Good luck !!!