Dislocated shoulder - back in but what should I know about recovery?

[MrsBodger]

Google says sling for a few days, 2-4 weeks off work, 12-16 weeks to full recovery. I’m going to fracture clinic Monday. Any info from anyone?

It can vary so much. I've dislocated my shoulder many times. Dislocations can vary too, the shoulder can partially come out, come out completely, damage structure as it comes out, so it depends on that too. The first time I only rested it for a few days and didn't wear a sling or take time off work. With hindsight I think it's best to rest it as much as possible and wear the sling. At least until Monday - see what they say at the clinic. You can't harm it by resting it, but you can by not resting it.. Hope it's not too painful.

Thank you it’s sore but s lot less than when it was out! I’ll rest it as you say then I guess I’ll just have to see what the drs say. Horrible to do it many times - poor you!

Yes the pain when it's out is awful, isn't it? Then it immediately calms when it's back in. Mine mainly used to feel tired afterwards rather than painful. Touch wood, mine has been stable for nearly a decade. I hope yours is easily sorted. I was quite young when I first did mine, and stuck my head in the sand rather than getting it fixed. I often wonder if I'd have had so much trouble if I'd done the right thing at the start. So make sure you rest yours and take medical advice!

Thank you! I went to fracture clinic today and I have to wear the sling for 2 weeks so can’t drive which is a bit of a nightmare because we live in the middle of nowhere! But yes I will be good - anything to stop it happening again.

After my son dislocated his and been through the sling period, he had an issue with pain in what we've been told is likely one of the tendons that got badly stretched out when it happened and he's found ibuprofen gel to put on the area really helpful in recovering as it deals with any lingering pain and inflammation in all the parts around it.