What can I do about my shoulder? -Dislocation- Can't have surgery.

by Mandy
(Missouri)

I dislocated back in January playing basketball, three times in one game. It wasn't good. The first time it happened I had no idea what was wrong, then it went back in pretty quick...I jumped up to get a rebound..it happened again, and then I knew something was wrong..I ran down the court, one of my friends threw me the ball before I could get out, and it came out and wouldn't go back in.

I got taken to the hospital and got it in..and then I was in a sling..the doctor had me in it for a week and said I could play. That was a bad idea on his part. It came out again..so I was back in a sling for a month. It came out while I was sleeping because I didn't have a lot of support..then it came out when I fell down the stairs..I haven't been too lucky. Then recently..after not having problems with it..it came out while playing basketball with my friends.

I had it in an immobilizer, and then once I could use it without pain I took it out. I am the Drum Major for my marching band and having to lift my arms for a long period of time doesn't bother me at all. The thing is, I want to play basketball this year; and i've been looking up different options of maybe something to wear on my shoulder while playing since we cannot afford to have surgery at the moment.

I was wondering if there is anything to wear on the shoulder to keep it in it's place, but be able to move the arm as a whole. Maybe taping it? I don't know for sure. But I really want to play this season, I only have 2 years left in high school and not playing would kill me, and I know I need surgery, but right now I can't do that.

So is there any options for things to wear on the shoulder? or should I just lay off of it?..I do have exercises I do regularly to try and keep my shoulder stronger, but I am sure it will continue to come out if I don't have anything protecting it.

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What can I do about my shoulder? -Dislocation- Can't have surgery.

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Oct 27, 2008
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shoulder dislocation
by: Bart - SII

Unfortunately, there isn't any brace that you can wear that will both protect your shoulder and allow for total motion. There are braces on the market that will restrict your shoulder motion in order to help keep it stable, but they wouldn't let you move enough to be able to play basketball.

It sounds like you have a very unstable shoulder - if it is dislocating or subluxing when you are sleeping, that is fairly significant instability.

I would recommend working on improving your strength, working on your stabilization and strengthening your scapular stabilizers and rotator cuff, and getting your shoulder as strong as possible while you wait to have surgery. Basketball right now is just going to cause more problems, as you will likely dislocate again.

The more you stretch out the ligaments, the worse it will be in the future. I know giving up sports isn't something you want to consider, but, if you strengthen and protect now, then you will be in better shape when you can have the surgery - and you still have another year of basketball left.

Bart

Jan 23, 2009
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same thing with me
by: Anonymous

Ya sound like me and it does get worse if yo don't let it rest, but it is boring to let ti rest I would were a sling under your clothing like a spandex one, and when you play ball take it off but after put it back on:) tell me if it work's for you.

Mar 10, 2009
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arm
by: Steph

I've had the same problem for 7 years. Since I was 13. I am having to go in for surgery. There is no other way to go about it. Not even PT. They say 3years of it and only a 30% chance it'll work.

Mar 10, 2009
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To let you all know...
by: Mandy

So I played ball the beginning of the year and it was fine, but it came out again. I actually did get a brace though, and I didn't think there was one, but there are. You can get them at any sporting goods store or whatever. It slides onto my arm and straps around the upper part of my body..and then I have a strap that straps from the top of my back over the shoulder and to my chest...it keeps it secure and saved it from coming out once. But I haven't had any problems since then, it definatly has been a HUGE help. So if anyone is having the same problem, there are braces..they aren't 100% but so far mine has been great. :)

Jul 21, 2009
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Both shoulders disclocating
by: a.c.

I hove very bad shoulder problems and i had surgery on one of them and it still pops out when i play basketball.. Now just the other day i was playing basket ball my other shoulder poped out.. this over weight guy ran into my shoulder and now this ones disclocated.. i dont know what to do?? and suggestions??

Aug 24, 2009
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SURGERY DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING
by: Anonymous

I have the same issue and currently I am in a sling. I have had two surgeries and now it mostly dislocates in my sleep but I learned to be careful with it when I am awake. You have to give up basketball for now and do exercises. You can make it worse not letting it rest....and while surgery works for some....it has not helped me. So I WOULD NOT NECESSARILY RECOMMEND SURGERY TO EVERYONE. Get multiple medical opinions before a surgery.

Nov 18, 2009
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i have the same
by: Anonymous

i have this as well when i was 13 i dislocated it when i was playing soft ball in school and had to go to hospital and each time it went it it slid out. it took the hospital moths to realise that my joints were hyper mobile and thata what was causing it to slide in and out. it was coming ot every single day when i was in school it came out up to 25 times a week. i have been doing physio the past year and i notice a big differnce. i know that it is really hard and you cant keep coping with it coming out all the time. just keep doing your exercises daily and it will inprove i promise you i thought mine would never get stronger but it is.