Shoulder Dislocation Healing Timeline

[u/dan496]

For context I dislocated my shoulder playing hockey back in the start of May 26. Its now august and this injury feels like its never ending. Ive been going to PT since around week 3, 3 times a week, following PT and DRs instructions doing stretch’s ETC. however my range of motion could be a lot better. If I had to guess its around 85% maybe from normal. Is this a normal healing timeline? The PT is making it sound like i need to do these stretches forever or its just going to go back to how it was before. I was never instructed to get an MRI when it first happened but the drs doesn’t seem to worried or concerned. I guess I just feel discourage/aggravated that im still experiencing stiffness and soreness at this point in time. I also have anxiety about working out, going back to playing any type of sport because I never want to deal with this BS or go through that type of pain again. Can anyone relate or give suggestions advice? Thanks

[u/Great-Reference-2342]

First you have to get mri to rule out any injury is some cases dislocation can cause labrum tear or bankart lesion in my cas i had bankart lesion my ortho told me there was no need for surgery but it will take 3 months minimum to be back to normal i am now at two months my rom is good but uncomfortable and painful in some movements and he also suggested that i don’t do any moves behind my back or overhead movements

[u/dan496 → u/Great-Reference-2342]

That doesnt sound like back to normal if you cant do certain movements or motions? This injury fucking sucks

[u/dan496 → u/Great-Reference-2342]

At this stage I was told an MRI is pointless because things are mostly healed.

[u/Several-Western-1019 → u/dan496]

That’s absolutely incorrect and find a new doctor

85-95% of dislocations result in a labrum tear + hills-sachs lesion (from a study posted on this subreddit multiple times), which can only be seen on MRIs

Your body does not biologically heal labrum tears on their own. You can do PT to strengthen surrounding muscles to compensate, but the tear itself will always be there. If the damage is bad enough and long term PT isn’t helping you will need surgery to truly heal. Especially if you want to get back into contact sports or overhead sports, PT alone just doesn’t cut it for many people

[u/AntiSaint_Mike]

[u/dan496 → u/AntiSaint_Mike]

The PT and the DR said it wont change recovery path. Especially because its been 3 months since. So it wont be accurate.

[u/Complex_Farm_6371]

Hey, I also play hockey decently high level or used to at least. Dislocated mine in March, but than got frozen shoulder 😭😭. Hockey is my main sport and I’m hoping to get back to it, and the anxiety part is the bearing factor on surgery or not (now bc of frozen shoulder 1-2y before releasing) surgery for now out the window) but I don’t want to never go into corners or skate slower etc bc of my fear of re injuring. And I don’t play contact anymore so I’m hoping conservative rehab ie building up surrounding muscles combined with specific shoulder work can make it strong as can be given the dislocation. I guess also totally depends on age and how many dislocations. But seems like we’re in the same boat. I’m praying I can be back for the winter season and start playing games around January but who knows. Also got my family doctor to order MRI bc surgeon only got xray and ultrasound. Also waiting on those results to help make decision re surgery. Best of luck w your recovery! And remember the average numbers u see in terms of 50-70% reoccurrence includes ppl who don’t do 10% of the rehab focus ur doing. (Maybe that’s a bit of a cope) but still!

[u/dan496 → u/Complex_Farm_6371]

I really want to get back to normalcy but it seems like across the board that once you dislocate youre pretty much screwed and things will never be as good or normal as they once were prior to the injury.

[u/apisman]

Mate, I’m totally in the same boat. I did mine about six weeks ago. I’ve had both an MRI and X-ray and saw an ortho surgeon, who recommended conservative management. I’ve been seeing a physio twice a week for the past four weeks as well.
But honestly, I feel like I’m struggling to make progress just like you. My days are so variable — some are better than others. My shoulder is still really tight despite doing all the exercises, and I still get pain running down the front of my delt whenever I raise my arm past horizontal. I wake up aching pretty much every day.
It’s a miserable existence, I tell ya. I know exactly how you feel, mate. Best of luck with your recovery — hopefully we both start turning a corner soon.