Dislocated shoulder

[sibesx2]

I dislocated my shoulder 2 months ago while sleeping. I vaguely remember turning over and putting my arms up behind my head. Awoke to unbelievable pain. Me being me, I thought I just pulled something and tried to tough it out for an hour before I woke DD to take me to the ER.

I saw an orthopedist a few days later. He said it is unusual for someone my age (60) to dislocate a shoulder by raising your arms because joints usually get stiffer as we age. I was in a sling for a month and then started PT. Both the pain and range of motion have improved but I still have problems with both.

Neither the pain nor the range of motion are consistent. I may be able to lift my arm higher one time but not the next and it may hurt sometimes but not others with the same movement. The worst is sometimes I get an ache that feels like it is deep in my shoulder or runs down my arm. That usually only happens a few times a day and only lasts a few minutes. The doctor said that is tendonitis. I also have a lot of popping/crackling when I move which the dr. said is normal.

I had a recheck with the doctor this week and since the pain and range of motion have improved he pretty much released me. He said to continue PT if I want to, go back to work if I want to and come for a recheck in 6 weeks if I want to. So I guess I'm on the right track and my issues are normal for my injury. But it doesn't feel like it.

Has anyone dislocated their shoulder? How long until the pain goes away? And I've been told that once it happens it is more likely to happen again. Has it happened to anyone more than once?

 

[Colleen27]

I haven't dislocated mine but I tore the rotator cuff (not badly enough to require surgery) and developed tendonitis in that shoulder, and the pain still comes and goes a year and a half after the original injury, especially if I overdo it. An anti-inflammatory diet, biofreeze for minor pain, continuing the exercises my doctor gave me for PT, and NSAIDs on the worst days all keep it manageable, but my doctor said it isn't unusual for joint issues in middle age and beyond to never fully heal to the point of the pre-injury "normal" and I'm definitely finding that to be the case thus far. Which is frustrating because I don't see myself as old enough for these problems (at 42) and since it doesn't hurt most days, I tend to forget to be cautious and then end up with a string of bad days caused by overdoing it.

Patience is the key, I think. It took around 8 weeks for me to be back to something resembling normal after I hurt my shoulder, and probably another 6 or 8 for it not to ache on a daily basis just from ordinary activities and PT exercises.

 

[rwilson1281]

Took me 14 months to get over breaking ribs and falling on ice, had to get injections in my lower back to stop the pain, if you are truly in pain all the time go see a pain specialist there are a load of things they can do now that aren't narcotic in order to relieve pain.

 

[mom2rtk]

I had frozen shoulder in both shoulders over a several year period. Recovery was painful and slow. Not the same, but I absolutely feel for you. It affects everything you try to do.

Have you had any imaging done?

Don't skimp on the PT. And don't skimp on your home exercises.

 

[CallieMar]

I had a herniated disc and it took almost two years to recover to the point where I am now pain free. I went through 2 PCPs, 2 chiropractors and 2 physical therapists because at first they were just giving me the standard exercises that didn’t do anything or made it worst. Be vigilant with your PT and at home exercises. My health insurance has a chronic pain management program that helped me mentally manage my pain, as well as suggest alternative treatments such as acupuncture.

 

[Dan Murphy]

None here, but wishing you a relatively painless full recovery.

 

[mom2rtk]

OP, did you ask if a shoulder injection would help any?

 

[sibesx2]

OP, did you ask if a shoulder injection would help any?

The doctor didn't mention injections. He also said imaging isn't needed. My insurance only covers so my PT visits a year so I'm going to continue for a few more weeks and then just continue exercises at home.

Hearing other's experience with injuries helps. Thanks!

 

[rwdavis2]

If they took no images it could be something not yet found.

 

[CallieMar]

The doctor didn't mention injections. He also said imaging isn't needed. My insurance only covers so my PT visits a year so I'm going to continue for a few more weeks and then just continue exercises at home.

Hearing other's experience with injuries helps. Thanks!

It took 6 months before my former doctor ordered an MRI, and I really dislike this about our healthcare system. In a lot of countries, imaging is the first thing they do. How can you treat it if you’re not actually sure what it is?

It sounds like you are getting better and I wish you well on your recovery. If it ever changes for the worse definitely push back. You have to advocate for yourself because many of these doctors won’t.

 

[mom2rtk]

It took 6 months before my former doctor ordered an MRI, and I really dislike this about our healthcare system. In a lot of countries, imaging is the first thing they do. How can you treat it if you’re not actually sure what it is?

It sounds like you are getting better and I wish you well on your recovery. If it ever changes for the worse definitely push back. You have to advocate for yourself because many of these doctors won’t.

It's complicated because so many people are on high deductible health plans now, and an MRI might be 100% out of pocket. I never had imaging on mine (except for an inexpensive x-ray) mostly for that reason. But I would like to hope in a case like this it would at least be discussed with the patient.

 

[CallieMar]

It's complicated because so many people are on high deductible health plans now, and an MRI might be 100% out of pocket. I never had imaging on mine (except for an inexpensive x-ray) mostly for that reason. But I would like to hope in a case like this it would at least be discussed with the patient.

This is true. I was fortunate that I had changed jobs and now have very good health insurance that covered it 100%. However even then it was like pulling teeth to get them to order the MRI. If paying out of pocket I believe there are imaging labs where it could possibly be cheaper than going through your hospital if you really needed it done.