owlmoose

When I was a sophmore in college, I was crossing some train tracks when I slipped, fell, and dislocated my right shoulder. One of the risks of dislocating that particular joint is that it will be permanently weakened and the joint will have difficulty staying in place. But I recovered without incident, except for occasional issues with muscle weakness and being able to tell when it's about to rain.

Until today.

I was walking up the stairs in my apartment, about to head out the door for work, when I tripped on something. My own feet, a stair tread, the cuff of my pants, who knows? All I know is that I fell, and landed badly. And I immediately knew that I had knocked the shoulder out of joint. It didn't hurt, not in comparison anyway (the original injury is my benchmark for pain, the "at least it doesn't hurt as much as when I dislocated my shoulder" mark), but it felt wrong. I could just tell that something was not where it belonged. T helped me up off the stairs and down to the living room, and after some pushing and prodding, I felt and heard a crunch as it popped back into place. And that's when it started to hurt. Naturally, this is the day I'm driving to an important morning meeting in Sacramento (about 90 miles each way). So I stuff myself with drugs and go. Not the easiest drive I ever made. Reaching for my coffee cup was really awkward. Fortunately traffic was pretty light in both directions.

Now I'm not quite sure what to do. The joint is clearly weak and probably will be for several days, but I'm certain that everything is back where it belongs, and I don't think a doctor could do anything other than give me medicine for the residual pain. I'm already taking megadoses of ibuprofin, which seem sufficient. If I don't lift any heavy boxes or do anything else too exerting for the next few days, I should be okay, right? But I am concerned that this shows permanent weakness in the shoulder. Worth getting it looked at, or not? Hmm.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think it is worth getting looked at to see if a referral to PT would help. There are muscles that help to hold the shoulder in the joint, and it is possible that strengthening those muscles can help keep your shoulder more stable. It is also possible that they have treatments (ultrasound, maybe?) that can help speed the healing process. You are right that laxity in the joint capsule itself isn't really fixable (without surgery, and I think even surgery doesn't always help), but muscles can definitely be strengthened.

I know we had one lecture on shoulders and dislocation (we have far more coming up, of course)--if I can find sections relevant to you, I will let you know. It's amazing how much you forget during break...

If you can think of anything else regarding shoulders and/or dislocation, that would be great.

I'll make a doctor's appointment tomorrow, but is there any self-care (besides ibuprofin) that I should do in the meantime? Do you know whether ice is a good idea?

You should go for the PT. When I pulled my hip at your place last year, I got several sessions which were really nice relaxation things. They did a little ultrasound and also an electro-shock thing that was nice and tingly. And I got to chill for 20 minutes or so. Nice break in the day if you can find a PT near your work.

I agree with your knowledgable friend. It will do no harm to have it seen to and with the various advances in technical matters, there may well be some way of strengthening this joint in order to prevent a recurrence. I am sure you are too intelligent to share Ikon's distaste for doctors so unless there is a pressing reason of which I have no information, go for it.

And do be kind enough to keep us informed if you will.

You and

anonamys are both right, I know. I do not, in fact, have anything against doctors, although I admit that I resent the time it will take, that I'll either have to take some PTO or give up my free Friday afternoon for the appointment. But yes, better that than permanent damage that can be avoided.

Thanks for your concern! I will keep you posted...

Ahh, memories...

definitely get it checked out, it can't hurt, and some PT would probably be very good for it. Did they have you do PT after you dislocated it the first time? I can't remember.

Also, icing it probably won't hurt.

At least you know that whatever happens, you won't end up washing my hair for me this time. :)

I did home excersises after the original injury (remember the Theraband on the doorknob?) but no real PT.

RICE is usually good for sprains
Rest
Ice
Compression (ace wrap & ibuprofen)
Elevation

Since you have insurance, it's worth going to the doctor, since the cost to you is low in terms of money and time and the risk of not going is a bad shoulder. So I'm glad you're going.

ow

no subject

no subject

no subject

T

Re: T

no subject

no subject

no subject