Shoulder dislocation recovery....any experience?

[llynnnn]

Hi

I dislocated my shoulder on Saturday just by stretching up to a high cupboard, nothing dramatic 🙄 A&E put it back in and put it in a sling, but since Sunday the muscles around the top of my arm keep spasming, particularly when I try to sit or lie down, I just can't relax 😌
GP has prescribed some muscle relaxants but they don't seem to be doing anything yet.
I have some movement in my shoulder, but A&E told me to keep the sling on, although it feels a bit more comfy without it for a minute...
Anyone been in a similar situation? I'm not at the fracture clinic until next weds and am so exhausted already....

My dd dislocated her shoulder dancing 2 years ago. Sounds odd, but It was when part of the choreography involved floor work. She couldn't raise her arm at all to start with, but at least she didn't cause any fractures.

We paid for private physio sessions. She was offered nhs physio, but it took weeks to get an appointment, and is hands off, unlike the private sports injury physio.

You will need to do the exercises consistently and she was told it could be months to get it properly moving and strong.

Luckily, she was very determined, and is used to exercising and dealing with injuries, so she got it moving faster than expected, but even now she says it isn't as strong and is aware it doesn't sit quite the same. Mind you, she popped it back in herself in a panic because of the the other dancers' reaction, which won't have helped.

DS has done his a few times now, it’s never been the same since the first time (he’s had one operating on and the other has popped out a few times so probably also needs doing). It’s usually around 6 weeks before it’s feeling more normal. He last did it 3 weeks ago, he can use it normally now but aches / hurts if he over does it.

Thanks both, did they have muscle spasms?
How soon did your dd start physio? Thinking of ringing them tomorrow

I’ve done this twice. I don’t remember muscle spasms but I do remember the shoulder being pretty useless at first and my arm almost being fused to my side if you see what I mean.

I had quite intensive physio the first time (not the second as it was lockdown so I was supposed to be doing it myself). I must’ve started about 6 weeks after it happened (think they said there’s some healing time before physio starts) and I remember telling them all I wanted to do was be able to brush my hair again.

Long winded way of saying shoulder dislocation is pretty bad and the recovery quite slow. Take it easy.

And I think you’re allowed some small breaks from the sling. Best of luck!

Also I think it depends on how the shoulder was put back in? First time, I was sedated and it was apparently quite a nasty job. Second time was a much calmer gas and air experience. Definitely felt much worse after the first time.

Not a lot of advice to you, @llynnnn , just sympathy!
I have dislocated my shoulder twice, first time during PE in school, next time almost 20 years later, when I was reaching for something on a very low shelf in the supermarket. It was horrible and painful, and I almost couldn't believe it, I was just shopping for groceries, and suddenly my shoulder was dislocated!

Both times I had to have help to get it back into place. In both cases I had x-rays, and a sling for my arm for a while. And after that I had physiotherapy.

I don't think I had any muscle spasms afterwards, but I agree with a previous poster that there is a feeling that the arm wants to be close to your body, it does not work very vell for quite a while.

I hope you will recover well!

I’ve had four shoulder dislocations in my life the worst one I was off work for 9 weeks. It’s one of the worst pains, but almost instant relief when it’s put back in. the spasming is the muscle being in stress.

Take your time before doing anything as someone said it feels like it needs to be stuck by your side, and keep the sling on. It needs some time to heal before starting physio. Wait til you go to the fracture clinic and take their advice

I'm sorry to hear of all the multiple dislocations. I did my other one 7 years ago and remember the instant relief once it was relocated, and then just aches (and nervousness!) after that. This time feels like a different animal with the spasms and being unable to rest or get comfortable....

Physio needed! I had a nasty dislocation. Poor nhs physio for year. On verge of an op. Got a great physio and 90% resolved within 3-6 months. Still minor niggles 8 years later but proper physio worked wonders not just the ones who give you exercises with no other input