"clicky" shoulders in 12 year old ds - experience, anyone?

[mumblechum]

I didn't post this in health as I suspect it's something which happens mostly in teenagers.
Our ds's shoulders are very - well, clunky is the only word I can think of. He kind of grinds his shoulder joints around audibly and says his right one hurts when he swings it. After ignoring this for a couple of months, I took him to the GP on Friday after school who told me to take him for Xrays first thing this morning.
It'll be a few days before anyone can tell me anything but in the meantime, are there any MNers out there whose kids have had the same thing? Was surgery necessary?
I'm worried that he'll need an operation, particularly because settling into secondary has so far been quite difficult, I've finally persuaded him to join some lunchtime clubs and if he's laid up for months, I'm worried that he'll continue to spend every lunchtime alone in the library which is what's happening now.
Any advice?

Well I worked for someone who saw lots of teenagers who used to dislocate their shoulders on purpose. They had to be taught how to stop the habit.
If that helps.

my shoulders have made funny noises for years! Surgery would be unlikely unless this was severely impairing his function. Hurting when he swings it makes me think of that old story - ie dont swing it! Seriously tho there are lots of reasons why a shoulder can be painful, but if he is otherwise healthy it is unlikely to be smoething to worry about and will probably go away. Dr may suggest some physio or exercises to strengthen the muscles around the joints.

I would be more concerned that he is spending all his free time alone in the library - has he had problems transferring to secondary school? Did he have probs at primary, or has he lost a lot of his friends thro moving up?

Thanks for posting. His shoulders are at very different levels, something I hadn't noticed till the GP pointed it out. The lunchtime thing seems to have happened because athis new school, the kids are very much encouraged to do sports etc in their lunchtimes, but he's not v. sporty. This week he's finally starting 2 lunchtime & 1 after school clubs because I've forced him to. I don't think it's a case of not being liked, he was extremely popular at primary, but didn't know a soul at the new school (he's the only boy from his primary who passed the 11 plus, and most of the new kids went to the same 2 schools). At lunchtime, he always says he just can't find anyone to play with, because they're all doing rugby/hockey/football. If he has to drop these new clubs because of his shoulders, I guess I'll have to get him to do chess or something just so that he's mixing with someone.

Out of interest, does your son have any difficulties with sport or PE, or is he just not that intetrested? Does he have problems with his writing? Just that the grinding may be connected with low muscle tone or lax ligaments, both of which may make muscle control and therefore shoulder stability a bit harder.

Also, when the GP pointed out the lopsided shoulders, did they look at his back at all? There is a tendency among teenagers to cartry their school bags on one shoulder or with the straps let out very long so they dangle down their backs. Either way this can lead to adopting a lopsided posture causing muscle imbalance. it is also possible although rare, for a spinal curve to be present, ie one that you could see from the back rathr than from the side.

My dd has a problem with her back and shoulders. She clicks too - always has done. We have been to the doctor's and are going to hospital for physio. Apparently it is a muscular problem and they have given her exercises to do. My dd has quite a round and humpy appearance, which worries me sick, but I think it is all muscular and unlearning poor posture. She also has pain, which I have been told is not usual for a teenager.

I too worried terribly about operations, but there has been absolutely no mention of this so far. I would be really interested in what they have said about your son - I feel awful that I didn't do anything earlier. Also, they have asked that she doesn't carry a heavy rucksack to school and only takes small items - ie no textbooks. I am quite pleased about this.

Its becoming more common for teenagers to get back pain. One of the biggest reasons for it is the way they carry their bags, which I mentioned previously, but the ones Ive spoken to insist they have to carry all the books they might need for the week with them, instead of organising themselves to take them in each day. Some schools have lockers, but these seem to either be uncool, or there is a fear that they will be broken into.

Thanks for replies. He carries a (very heavy) rucksack on both shoulders, but that's a recent innovation (only started sec.sch.2months ago). Has messy handwriting but can write neatly when he can be bothered.
I think the GP did look at his back, but it looks ok. I think the prob. is that the cartilage around the joint isn't doing its job properly, but only surmising from what he GP wrote on the Xray request and googling. Will hopefully, by end of this week, get referred to specialist. Hope your daughter's prob. gets sorted soon, figroll. Cheers.

My dd has 2 lockers, always takes books out of her bag when she arrives at school and has absolutely no cool problems (is a self confessed geek, her words not mine) but she does have to take in an extraordinary number of books. If the textbooks aren't in class, they get detentions, etc. I think it is a crazy situation actually and I think it is one that the schools need to address if we are giving our youngsters health problems.

I think it is about time that schools kept the books in school. I watched a child get out of a car near the school only the other day. She had a case which probably had a basson in it (they have several orchestras), a large A2 DT folder, a large rucksack and a plastic bag containing lunch, etc. Then people say make your children walk to school!! This girl looked as if she was having a week away from home. I think schools need to get on the side of the children and stop this madness.

I am a teacher and I rarely expect children to use their textbooks in class - they are for additional support at home.

Exactly. I was saying to my DS "When i was a girl" But i couldnt remember any more about books, I am pretty sure we didnt lug them around

Sorry, I don't quite follow.

I knew it didnt make sense. What I meant was, I don't remember carrying books around, why not?

I remember taking a bag to school. I started off with a leather satchel that I wore over one shoulder and it was incredibly heavy. By about year 3 (9) I think I had a shoulder bag. I don't know how heavy it was - I am glad that they use rucksacks (apart from the Jane Norman brigade - a breed apart according to my dd!? I wish I was Jane Norman - able to make a million out of carrier bags).

What or who is Jane Norman??

It is a shop and I would think that about 80% of teenage girls use the bags from the shop to take their books to school. My dds have a name for these types - hair straighteners and all have Piczo pages with their tongues sticking out! I suppose it is a bit like the white stilettos dancing round the handbags of the 1980s - if you know what I mean!

Ah... now I understand.