 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm sure there's others just as unfortunate as me.
Cut along story short, in the past 4 years I've dislocated my shoulder 3 times, either snowboarding or MTB'ing (over the bars) and its always the same one (my forward facing side in the snow). Each time I've got it popped back in fairly quickly and also each time its happened the recovery has been quicker and quicker.
But, I'm now worried that this will happen again and again if I fall on it.
I see I have 5 options.
A) MTFU and show off my war wounds
B) Ride cautiously, don't push myself (but especially in the snow, you can wipe out due to others (this time I was getting off a lift and another boarder was falling, pushed me and it popped out))
C) Surgery
D) A shoulder brace such as http://www.physioroom.com/product.php?utm_source=googleproducts&utm_medium=foc&utm_campaign=125&pid=38166&cid=2042&affid=25 But thats expensive and I doubt it would be any good on a bike.
E) Sell my bike and take up flower arranging.
Just wondering if others have been in the same situation and what did/have you done?
Thanks in Advance
Chris
I would go for surgery Possibly use a shoulder stabilser for boarding as well maybe?
If Lethal Weapon was anything to go by, don't you just wack your shoulder against something hard to pop it back in to place?
I've had 3 reconstructive operations on my right shoulder so know a little on this subject. Before my last op, my shoulder would dislocate around 30 times a day, it was agony. I was in a sling/brace for 4 months, horrible!
I'd continue riding until it goes fully and then just have an op. No point riding like a pussy or giving up the hobby completely.
Physio is really an option if it past a certain state of repair.
I'm back playing a fairly high level of rugby, mountain biking (falling off lots) 3x a week, and weight training 5x a week. Get out there and enjoy life!
I can pop mine out by relaxing and picking up a full milkcrate (last month) or slipping down 4 stairs and breaking the ballestrade with my outstretched arm (last week).Brufen and ice for half an hour and its fine.I just concentrated on building up surrounding muscle after the first time (low side practising feet up 2 wheel drifts in the car park) which needed general anaesthetic to pop it back in.It aches when i ride but thats more to do with not having any suspension rather than the injury.
In summary then.....A
You could try strengthening your rotator cuff muscles.
I dislocated mine twice. The second time it came out quite easily after a low speed crash. It hurt but not a massive amount like the first time. After the xray I was told the bone was cracked and had to have it bolted back together. When I had the plate taken out the surgeon also told me he'd shortened the ligament (not sure how many). It's been fine since then but I haven't fallen on it badly It's always in the back of my mind when doing something technical.
How old are you? Its relevant to the advice.
I suffered from a "habitual" dislocation of my left shoulder for about 15 years.
I must of dislocated 20 times at least.
When I first did it it would reduce itself if I just lay face down on a table or similar with my arm dangling. However, it got worse and then I needed to attend A&E to have it reduced.
I then got the surgery done and it has been fine since, I don't have the full range of movement but I didn't before as my shoulder could just drop out and rotated backwards!
I would strongly recommend the surgery, if it dislocates when your in a remote location and doesn't reduce then you could be in trouble.
I used to use something similar to this which helped.
[url= http://www.acasports.co.uk/product_info.php?cpath=39_80_530&osCsid=1d6d3d33674a6b4ccf9d9aaa85ef2c96&products_id=295&selection={1}192 ]Neoprene shoulder support[/url]