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Topic Date User

shoulder dislocation - tales of woe/joy wanted 16-Jan-2009 At 6:34:38 PM jaebo

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hey,

i've had dislocations and sublux's over the last 7 years. the final straw was when it came out in my sleep (of course it's my luck that i'd sleep with my arm in abduction with external rotation!)
i got an open reconstruction from dr bokor in august last year.
i tend to agree with what hargs has said re rehabilitation and strengthening of the capsule and rotator cuff etc and the actual damage to the shoulder joint...
when i spoke to bokor he said that the success rate (ie the shoulder not coming out again) was better with the open reconstruction, though of course there's a bigger scar.
i ended up opting this way as i'd rather a better percentage of it not coming out, plus it was about 1k cheaper.
as someone without health insurance it's been a big out of pocket expense. surgery plus physio.
i've missed a trip to nz, gramps and thailand as a result and i (secretly) cry alone thinking about not climbng or going out watching mates.
but it's all long term perspective.
i could continue to climb with the tears in muscle, ligament and a loose shoulder and risk a sublux or dislocation all the time, then be off climbing and doing rehab, or i can take one steady hit of time out of the sport get it fixed and slowly get back into it.
i also agree with evanbb. there's one guy at physio who's had 5 reco's on one shoulder and 4 on the other. the guy gets physio, gets kinda strong and then pushes too early and it goes again. i think a disciplined slow approach to the recovery process and getting back in is the smarter option. after such a long time off the rock all i want to do is go nuts, but i'm mindful that when i get back on, i need to take it slow to avoid injury when my strength is not at its besst.
personally i'd rather be out of the sport for 6months-1year and have a stable shoulder rather than climb below my limits scared of pushing myself because my shoulder will pop, plus hopefully (touch wood) i won't have any more shoulder problems and can continue care free climbing for the rest of my days.

jae