A shoulder problem i've had for about 7/8 years now has been getting worse and i'm wondering if anyone here has experience of it.

Long story short, after an MRI and arthrogram i was told by a specialist that the ligaments in my right shoulder ( and subsequently my left shoulder nowadays) are too long and the joint isn't stable and as a result would lead to arthiritis in later life. I was offered an operation on it but was due to start as a firefighter so didn't risk it, and the mobility level post-op would rule it out for me. This wasn't caused by any injury (although i'd suffered countless partial dislocations as a result of it) so i can only guess it's a pre-existing condition.

I've tried limiting stretching it and added rotator cuff exercises but with no luck. Does anyone know anything of this condition (seems quite rare) and possible remedies (apart from surgeries) as with its current progression every aspect of my life will be pretty tough in ten years time

BUMP BUMP NUDGE NUDGE

Sounds like you have some old info concerning the repair procedure. Physicians nowadays are excellent at repairing ligament and capsular laxity. You have a common problem that typically has a good prognosis.

It's a bit of a drawn out recovery process but I'd like to think that you'd have 85-90% of your motion within 3-6 months (of course, you'd lose a few degrees with added stabilization but hardly enough to tell). I'd also like to think that you'd have full strength within 1 year, pending no major setbacks along the way.

Your problem MIGHT be able to handled non surgically as well. I suggest starting with an isometrics program for your shoulder. Google should do the trick with that one.

If that doesn't seem to help within 1-2 weeks, then go to your pcp and get a PT script for some trouble shooting. If you don't have results with PT within 3-6 weeks, return to pcp for an NEW updated mri and referral to an orthopedic physician for a specialized opinion.

Originally Posted by celc5

Sounds like you have some old info concerning the repair procedure. Physicians nowadays are excellent at repairing ligament and capsular laxity. You have a common problem that typically has a good prognosis.

It's a bit of a drawn out recovery process but I'd like to think that you'd have 85-90% of your motion within 3-6 months (of course, you'd lose a few degrees with added stabilization but hardly enough to tell). I'd also like to think that you'd have full strength within 1 year, pending no major setbacks along the way.

Your problem MIGHT be able to handled non surgically as well. I suggest starting with an isometrics program for your shoulder. Google should do the trick with that one.

If that doesn't seem to help within 1-2 weeks, then go to your pcp and get a PT script for some trouble shooting. If you don't have results with PT within 3-6 weeks, return to pcp for an NEW updated mri and referral to an orthopedic physician for a specialized opinion.

cheers, lots of good advice there, the outlook is better.

repped

well, with or without surgery it's going to require some restraint on your part. Aggravating the injury with a workout is breaking THE most important rule, which is what I see happen on the boards... well... just about every single time LOL

Good luck

UPDATE - Taking cissus (50%) and my shoulders feel like new. Definitely recommended

Had the same problem dude. Slight tear in rotator cuff and long biceps tendon head was very loose as well. Had surgery and prob still wasn't fixed, ie- still lots of pain and limited range of movement even after 6 months of rehab.
Started getting accupuncture /massage and shiatsu treatments by two very well regarded practitioners and am now 100% pain free and shoulder is back to where it was pre injury/surgery.

It really is like a new lease of life isn't it? Cissus will be on my essentials list with protein from now on

ZenDog,
congrats on the recovery! At the same, your problem is completely different than the OP. He had recurrent subluxation which lead to ligamentous laxity. Musculotendonous repair in the case of biceps or rotator cuff (both are muscles, not ligaments/capsules) do tend to take a really long time to recover from surgery.

I'm thinking 8-10 months isn't out of the ordinary assuming there was a "massive" tear. Yes, there's the occasional lucky one that gets by in 3-4 months (in all fairness which may have skewed your view on how long it would take to recover)

Out of interest Celc you're very knowledgeable in this field - what's your background? Are you a practitioner in the medical world?