Returning from dislocated shoulder

Hey everyone. I know there’s multiple threads on the topic already, but after reading a few I haven’t found anything similar to my situation.

I dislocated my shoulder playing hockey, had it popped back in about an hour 1/2 later in the ER. Doctor had an extremely hard time reducing it.

Went to ortho doctor Thursday and he just moved my arm around and asked when it hurt. He didn’t seem worried about it, told me 6 weeks and I can return to hockey but be careful with overhead stuff. I explained I was a climber but he either didn’t understand or have anything to say about it. Not sure if I just went to a shitty doctor or what. Didn’t recommend an MRI or anything so I don’t know about any labrum damage. Had X-rays in the ER to confirm no bone damage

Ice season is coming up and I’m super concerned with either not being able to swing or hang from ice tools, also with it popping out and being in that pain again in the middle of nowhere. 

Pretty bummed out honestly. Everything I’ve read is just people saying they’ve needed surgery or it’s been a constant issue. 

Basically looking to hear some success stories or a similar situation where surgery wasn’t performed. 

Had a similar injury wrestling 12 years ago. Opted out of surgery and did cortisone shots to survive the tail end of the season. 80% is my new 100% on that side even 12 years later. I also broke the tip off my collar bone, but all my pain and irritation years later is local to the shoulder socket. If I could do it all over again I’d get surgery immediately. 

ZT G wrote:

Had a similar injury wrestling 12 years ago. Opted out of surgery and did cortisone shots to survive the tail end of the season. 80% is my new 100% on that side even 12 years later. I also broke the tip off my collar bone, but all my pain and irritation years later is local to the shoulder socket. If I could do it all over again I’d get surgery immediately. 

Yeah you were wrestling in high school I’m assuming? My doctor said it’s more of an issue if it happens at a younger age. I’m 29 and he said he’d recommend surgery if I was younger. Just strange he didn’t recommend MRI or PT

Ethan B wrote:

Yeah you were wrestling in high school I’m assuming? My doctor said it’s more of an issue if it happens at a younger age. I’m 29 and he said he’d recommend surgery if I was younger. Just strange he didn’t recommend an MRI or PT

Correct, high school sports injury and I’m 26 now. That is strange. If possible I might seek a second, independent, opinion. 

Did mine long ago.
had no insurance, no money.
was told options were surgery and work out. Or just work out to make the muscles in the area hold the shoulder together.
so….work out. Tons of reps of shoulder and rotator cuff exercises. Light weights and hihh reps is what i did.
i was very careful with climbing for about a year after.
came out 2x in 30 years. About 8 years apart. Didn’t dyno for years.
actually started climbing because of injury and looking for a fun activity that would strengthen my shoulder.
not sure what the mri would accomplish, but obviously not a dr. 

Initially dislocated mine playing basketball. Second dislocation ten years later snowboarding. Third dislocation five years later climbing. Lot's of PT in addition to prolotherapy. Conservative treatments didn't help so I go a SLAP repair.

Sorry, I know that's not what you're asking for. But it seems like once those structures are torn the joint is always going to be more susceptible to further dislocations. No matter how good your strength and mobility are it just requires that split second of lack of focus or too much stretch.

Long term I felt I could have managed without the surgery, but there's no way I would have been able to climb on it.

ZT G wrote:

Correct, high school sports injury and I’m 26 now. That is strange. If possible I might seek a second, independent, opinion. 

+1 for a second opinion. Especially if you want some imaging to get a snapshot of where things are at today.

Chris Gummer wrote:

Initially dislocated mine playing basketball. Second dislocation ten years later snowboarding. Third dislocation five years later climbing. Lot's of PT in addition to prolotherapy. Conservative treatments didn't help so I go a SLAP repair.

Sorry, I know that's not what you're asking for. But it seems like once those structures are torn the joint is always going to be more susceptible to further dislocations. No matter how good your strength and mobility are it just requires that split second of lack of focus or too much stretch.

Long term I felt I could have managed without the surgery, but there's no way I would have been able to climb on it.

Yeah I’ve been hearing people say it dislocated once and never caused them much trouble then people like you who say it’ll never be the same again. Guess everyone’s different, trying to not let it bum me out too much

What caused you to dislocate it climbing? And how big of a fall was it while snowboarding? 

My perspective for what it’s worth.  
I’ve Busted up (broken bones) and separated and dislocated both R and L sides multiple times skiing, whitewater, softball, and hockey, between 25-40 yrs old. After recovering fairly quickly from the initial high energy accidents, have had no lingering issues that impacted further participation. Only “close calls” of a residual issue I’ve had were climbing— once on rock, once on ice when my left axe or hand jam was high, and I twisted to the right to look and pull something off my harness… felt an immediate start of a dislocation but it “popped back” right away after rotating back towards the bad shoulder.   These occurred within first year and a half after respective injuries, but no issues doing same movement since, though I’m more careful in such positions now.  

Keep working it and exercising it and strengthening it continuously , and go relatively easy for the first year, then let your body guide you.  Like you said, everybody and every injury is a bit different 

I’ve had a fair amount of dislocations from hockey and climbing as well, would definitely recommend a second opinion to see if an mri and surgery is necessary as it is very likely something is torn. From my experience doctors like to see if you can recover through just pt first and avoid surgery so hopefully a different doctor would prescribe that. If you don’t decide to go down that route feel free to message me for some exercises as I am in pt again from another dislocation so have some good resources online I can point you towards. 

I’ve had a fair amount of dislocations from hockey and climbing as well, would definitely recommend a second opinion to see if an mri and surgery is necessary as it is very likely something is torn. From my experience doctors like to see if you can recover through just pt first and avoid surgery so hopefully a different doctor would prescribe that. If you don’t decide to go down that route feel free to message me for some exercises as I am in pt again from another dislocation so have some good resources online I can point you towards. 

Ethan B wrote:

Yeah I’ve been hearing people say it dislocated once and never caused them much trouble then people like you who say it’ll never be the same again. Guess everyone’s different, trying to not let it bum me out too much

What caused you to dislocate it climbing? And how big of a fall was it while snowboarding? 

I've had the same discussion with others. This is only anecdotal but the difference seemed to be initial flexibility. My initial dislocation was the worst pain I've experienced and took months to recover from. Whilst others with more flexible (or loose?) shoulders had limited pain and recovered quickly. In that case, I assume they've done less damage to the labrum.

Climbing I simply had it extended on a side pull, then leaned away from it and it popped straight out.

Snowboarding I fell back into the mountain making a turn. My arm was straight and it was the perfect angle and it popped out.