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Shoulder separation

 
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lewmt

Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked



PostTue Jul 11, 17 5:42 pm    Shoulder separation Reply with quote

I wrecked mtn biking the other day & separated my shoulder. ER put it back in place& suggested it would be 6-8 weeks before I could do much with that arm or I'd be likely to injure it worse. Just curious if others here have had this happen & how long before they could kite again, mtn bike again, etc. I've looked on line at rehab movements & exercises but if anyone has 1st hand knowledge of what worked best for their injury - any advise appreciated

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist



PostTue Jul 11, 17 5:57 pm    Unintelligent design Reply with quote

I have had way too much experience with this, beginning when I was 14 years old, trying to ollie my non-concave Variflex in my parents' driveway... Ouch. It's the gift that keeps on giving. The shoulder is a poorly-designed joint.

If I were you, I'd go see a physical therapist. Find one who works with athletes & understands that you want to get back in action ASAP. Get dialed in on an exercise regimen--and then DO THEM.

I know this sounds cavalier, but you will know when you are ready... Good luck!

I'm due for my second labrum repair on my dominant shoulder, but I'm waiting till after kite season!

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knotwindy

Since 25 Sep 2011
598 Posts

Addicted



PostTue Jul 11, 17 6:41 pm     Reply with quote

Shoulder separation is torn ligaments. You are not going to like this next part but ligaments take longer to heal than muscle or tendon. A lot longer to get to usable strength, so as above, find someone who knows what they are doing and listen and follow directions. Or you will have the problem for ever & ever & ever &....
It sucks, good luck.

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Electric Goat

Since 01 Aug 2014
7 Posts
Port Scandalous
Kook



PostWed Jul 12, 17 8:33 am     Reply with quote

I originally dislocated my right shoulder on a giant ski air gone awry in 1982. Back then the Docs therapy included immobilizing and not moving joint for 6 weeks. Bad idea.....atrophy.....long time to build back.

I dislocated again on a snowboard air in '85. Same bad therapy, 6 weeks immobilized....atrophy. Unfortunately my shoulders don't pop back in and the doctors always have to put me under to relocate with foot in armpit method.

I dislocated left shoulder on a wave machine in 2011. I read rehab studies from Europe (thanks internet!) and followed the plan. I didn't immobilize. Instead I started using it and doing light exercise ASAP. The recovery was quick!

I dislocated my right shoulder while getting barreled in 2013. I did my quick self rehab again and went to Barbados 7 weeks later and tried to teach my self to kite board with no instructor at Long Beach. My shoulder felt safe because with the control bar, you're kind of in a box of range of motion. I felt like my shoulder was fairly safe while kiting. It's the rotating twist that can knock the shoulder back out. The dynamics of the control bar are good for limiting twisting range of motion.

Back home while further self instructing, I pile drove my left shoulder into the ground/beach and tore my left AC joint. No biggie. It feels like an electric shock for several weeks. Now I have a huge shoulder bump that wears through t-shirts.......no biggie. I learned not to fly kite at zenith while walking in a storm surge!

So I recommend getting low tension elastic bands and get to work, but go easy at first.javascript:emoticon('')



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joekite

Since 21 Jul 2016
21 Posts
Portland, OR
 



PostWed Jul 12, 17 11:09 am    Shoulder Reply with quote

I separated my shoulder a few times, and just recently dislocated it with a fracture for the first time.
Separations hurt more, but the dislocation is more scary because of the high chance of it recurring. Separations aren’t a recurring thing, I did mine twice but it would have happened that second time no matter what, it wasn’t a recurring thing. So be glad once you get through it it’s behind you.
Elastic bands. I got these on amazon and they were perfect - https://www.amazon.com/Resistance-Bands-Exercise-Resistant-Attachment/dp/B0152UALF6/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1499885658&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=workout+bands&psc=1
You’ll be fine. I don’t remember recovery time but I would say just do what feels right. You know your body better than anyone. It will heal faster than you think, everyday it will get better and better. Don’t rush it, but don’t let it get too weak either. Do what you can, that’s my advice.
I remember the separation being a little soar for a few years. Like playing a soccer game I would start to feel my shoulder half way through the game and I would want to kind of hold it up to give it a rest. That went away after a few years. It wasn’t a big deal either.
I remember doc told me if I have surgery right away or 10 years later it would be the same surgery with same chance of working properly, so I would say avoid surgery as long as possible, like years and years.

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joekite

Since 21 Jul 2016
21 Posts
Portland, OR
 



PostWed Jul 12, 17 11:11 am    Shoulder Reply with quote

Just noticed you said the ER put it back in place, that sounds like a dislocation. Separations dont get popped back in like a dislocation. Which one was it?

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lewmt

Since 04 Aug 2010
182 Posts
MT
Stoked



PostWed Jul 12, 17 4:23 pm     Reply with quote

Thanks! I didn't know there were differences in the terms separated & dislocated although obviously the 2 terms have different definitions - my bad. By your definitions Joekite it is a dislocation.

Really encouraging E-Goat - kinda what I was hoping to hear!

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joekite

Since 21 Jul 2016
21 Posts
Portland, OR
 



PostWed Jul 12, 17 10:21 pm    Shoulder Reply with quote

Yeah dislocation has quicker recovery but its the recurring thing you gotta worry about. Mine just happened for the first time back in February so I am still concerned, but I think the kiting helps me strengthen it.

I saw a few doctors and got different advice. My takeaway in the end was I am going to do whatever I want with my shoulder and if it redislocates then it redislocates, and if it becomes an issue then I would consider surgery down the road.

Those elastic bands though were money. At first its all just stuff where you dont move, just try to push the wall down with your arm at different angles, the one bending your elbow at 90 degrees and rotating out is the best for it I heard. Then use the bands, then kiteboard, that was my recovery plan. Like the other guy said though, get it out of the sling after a few days or it will tighten up and lengthen the rehab time.

It gets better every day, I remember feeling like I might never be able to lift my arm above my head again, but every day it got better and after a few months youre good to go.

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user124

Since 02 Aug 2012
390 Posts
Portland
Obsessed



PostWed Jul 12, 17 10:45 pm     Reply with quote

I dislocated my shoulder mountain biking on a kite/mountain bike trip a few years ago. I didn't want to not kite the rest of the trip so I did it anyway, probably against my better judgement . But it ended up being OK. I saw the orthopedist when I got home he wasn't too worried about the typical motions of pulling on the kitebar, but more overhead swimming type motions I might have to do chasing my board or something. It's true though the issue is repetitive dislocations that eventually result in surgery to repair the labrum. And even after surgery you are still at risk. So joekite is right on the money. It's all about strengthening those shoulder muscles. Get a good therapist and do your exercises.

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist



PostWed Jul 12, 17 10:53 pm    reset Reply with quote

The OP and anybody else who has suffered from shoulder subluxation or dislocation would do well to learn how to reset their own shoulder if it pops out of socket. My PT taught me how, saying "it might prove useful someday."

Did it ever...

Sitting all alone about 100 yards below the summit of Mt. Bachelor with my humeral head down in the vicinity of my man-boob, rocking back & forth, lamaze breathing, and trying to decide whether I was going to puke, poop my pants, or pass out, I decided I needed to follow his advice:

I laid back and placed my dislocated arm at an angle so that my wrist was lying across my opposite hip. I then grabbed my wrist with my good hand and pulled down and across, along the axis of my injured arm. It hurt like a motherf@ck&r and did not pop back in place on my first attempt. I took a deep breath and tried it again--and it worked. I've never felt anything that felt so good and so right as when it reset. I then took the most careful run I've ever made down that mountain to the ski patrol first aid shack. Thank you PT, for explaining how to do that!

There are videos on youtube about how to do it, if you have a stomach for that sort of thing.

I think this is a skill everybody should know.

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scottm

Since 12 Jun 2006
108 Posts

Stoked



PostThu Jul 13, 17 8:25 am     Reply with quote

As others have mentioned, get some Therabands, and gradually build up from the weaker to stronger ones. Lots of rotator cuff strengthening exercises. Tie knots on either end of the band, then shut it in a door, near the handle for the internal/external rotation, and at the top for pull downs. Also good to slide your hand up a wall while holding onto the band, standing on the other end.

SUP is also great shoulder rehab, as long as your shoulder is stable/ready enough for it.

Plank pose is also good for rebuilding strength. If that's too intense, start with Sphinx pose and work your way up. I won't get back on a bike until I can do several full slow push ups.

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Mikaya

Since 10 Sep 2008
25 Posts

 



PostFri Jul 14, 17 4:35 pm    putting a dislocated shoulder back in place Reply with quote

A guy at Sherman (Maui Mike, anyone know him? He is an airush rep) had someone take a video of him putting another kitesurfer's dislocated shoulder back in place. It is super easy once you know what to do. He laid him face down on a camping table, allowing the injured arm to hang off the edge of the table. Then he basically talked him gently into relaxing, and the bone popped back in on its own. He didn't pull anything and it obviously didn't hurt. The kiter was back on the water by the next day, although he said it still ached.

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