3 Years Later Still Dislocating

[surefiregs]

So I have seen a few posts on this forum regarding shoulder dislocation. However mine seems a little different.

When I was 14 I first dislocated my shoulder falling off my bike. It did not dislocate again until I was 19 that included threw a full year and a half of surfing. Then at 18 I worked at a ski lift where I bumped ski lift chairs to slow them down. Then when I was 19 it started dislocating a lot in the water. Either surfing or swimming. So I gave it a break for a year and then went back out. First stroke and out my left shoulder goes.

I sadly put away my stuff and sold my board. Fast-forward to yesterday and it has now been over 3 years. I try it again I rented a board and headed out. I did about 20 strokes out in 10 feet swells and right at the end it goes out. I am now on my board waiting for the slow slide of it to go back in as I get pounded by waves. After about 17 secs it slides back in. I never tried strengthening it because a chiropractor said the ligament that holds my shoulder in is stretched a lot and that they don't get fixed by strengthening it just I prob will have to get surgery. However being 22 and not having insurance is a deterrent from going and getting the 10k surgery to fix it. However it kills me to not be able to surf.

[jaffa1949]

Yep that is a problem and it needs surgical attention.
I saw lots of injuries like that in my chiropractic clinic, and if they would constantly dislocate they needed surgery!
Why, the shoulder can be held more strongly in place by improving muscle strength in full balance to support correct alignment of the shoulder but if the supporting ligaments are too stretched it is not a full solution.
Each dislocation and replacement runs the risk of impinging the nerves and causing loss of function,
Each dislocation and period of misalignment will add to cartilage and joint damage which will cause generative arthritis , + pain and dysfunction.
The younger you are in getting it fixed the better the result is likely to be.
I don't know how health insurance works where you are, hopefully there is some way to figure that out?
Good luck Uncle Jaffa

[billie_morini]

surefiregs,
all I can say is, "ouch!"

Also, one of my highly athletic good buddies reached a point where rolling over in bed would dislocate his shoulder. It hurt a lot, too. This finally drove him to surgery. It worked very well, he should have done it 5 years earlier, and now he surfs with me.

I hope this post at least encourages you to get some medical opinions about your condition.

billie