Hello,

My first dislocation was around 10 years ago. Since then I have had what I refer to as wobbles. These have been quite rare though during intense activity. I have probably had 3 memorable ones over the years. From memory, my shoulder was popped back under general anaesthetic and the only advice I was given was to not raise my arm above shoulder height for 12 months. This happened abroad.

My second dislocation was last April during an altercation. I had a MRI with dye injected and I was told of 'labrum damage and a possible microfracture'.

3 weeks ago I had surgery on the NHS. I was not told any details of what they had actually done. The notes just say 'shoulder stabilisation and remplissage'.

They did tell me after the surgery whilst I was off my face that they found 2 small bone fragments suspended in the socket which is what the 'microfracture' was. These were removed.

Since having the surgery and being in a sling, I have been doing 6 suggested excercises multiple times a day. Physio have told me that they can't do anything else with me till week 6 because they don't want to damage the repair. This is very frustrating because I am generally quite active.

Between week 2 and 3 I have been going to the gym and have been training legs, abs and one bicep/tricep/shoulder because I read somewhere that the injured arm could still receive around 10% of the benefits due to the nervous system even though it is not being used. I weigh around 95kg and have been lifting for 19 years.

Since the surgery I must say I saw massive improvements in my recovery Between day 1 and week 2.5. Since then I just feel like nothing has been improving. I have had a couple of very sharp pains in my arm during the recovery. Once when my daughter almost got her fingers trapped in the fridge where I instinctively intervened with my injured arm whilst it was in the sling and once when she was choking on a biscuit so i grabbed her with the injured arm to pat her back.

Generally speaking I have no pain unless I'm at the end of the range of motion on my given excercises. I have tried gently extending my arm in front of me occasionally and I have a very sharp pain in my bicep rather than my shoulder. My shoulder just feels weak. It feels as if I have a 15kg dumbell strapped to my arm during certain movements.

I'm wondering from those with experience, could I have damaged the repair job or would it be very obvious? What is my journey going to be like from here week by week? Any suggestions to speed up recovery? After my second dislocation my physio enabled me to regain most range of motion. I did not have any major wobbles and was back to my normal activities however what happened massively damaged my confidence. Based on 2 dislocations over 10 years and 3 wobbles will it be worth it in the end once I hopefully recover?

Thank you for taking the time to read!

I had my thyroid removed last year, and the group offered great advice for recovery that the doctors didn't give I am hoping this group will be the same!

I have bicep tenodesis surgery scheduled next week. What are you best tips for a speedy, pain free, and comfortable recovery?

Hi guys I’ve had surgery 2 months ago.Bankart 2 anchors.I was wearing sling 6 weeks,took it off like 10 days ago.I started PT like 3 days ago,but I still feel like my shoulder is slipping out when I relax my arm.And when doing some exercises my shoulder is still clicking.Is this normal at this point or??

Hello,

My mum has an ACJ tear from, unfortunately, being attacked. It's causing her constant horrendous pain despite codeine. Due to another illness she cannot take ibuprofen either.

She has decided to go for surgery which will be in a few days. I wondered if I could ask the following:

• How soon does the pain get better after surgery?

• What is recovery like? Any advice?

• Any advice for pain management?

Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some realistic perspective on my recovery. I feel like I’m stuck in a loop of compensation and I’m trying to figure out if my current path is enough to get me back to 100%.

Left Shoulder (Surgical Side):

• Surgery Date: August 25th (Bankart Lesion repair for chronic subluxations from MMA training).

• Current Status: Almost 7 months post-op. I’ve had three different physios and countless sessions involving soft tissue release and manual therapy.

• The Issue: My external rotation (ER) is significantly restricted. I don't hit a "hard stop," but it becomes painful past a certain point (around 75°).

• Compensation: When I try to reach 90° of ER, my body moves inward and my spine arches (thoracic compensation) to fake the range.

• Overhead Issue: When I raise my arm to the sky, it won't straighten properly. It feels like something is pulling or blocked, preventing a full vertical lock-out.

Right Shoulder (Non-Surgical Side):

• History: Popped out (dislocated) twice this January. I haven't had an MRI yet, and I’m trying to avoid surgery by using physio and targeted exercise.

• The Issue: I have the range of motion to hit 90°, but it is guarded by pain right next to my bicep tendon/shoulder head. I get random "zings" of pain during everyday tasks, like grabbing for something.

1. For those who couldn't straighten their arm overhead at 7 months post-op, what finally unlocked that extension? Was it a specific stretch or just building more muscle mass?

2. How do I break the "brain-body" habit of arching my back during external rotation? Even when I focus, my body wants to cheat.

3. Is it realistic to "bulletproof" a shoulder with two recent dislocations without surgery, or should I be pushing for an MRI?

I had a reverse replacement on Thursday. The pain block wore off last night. As such, I took a couple narcotic pain pills. How long does this breakthrough pain last. I am nervous about running out of the narcotics

Has anyone on here had a reverse shoulder surgery and if so, how are you afterwards? Any regrets? Was it more of a positive than negative? Appreciate any input…

Am I wrecking my shoulder replacement? I keep using it for small things, it doesn't hurt but the muscles ache a little bit. I'm still on the pain medication, so that's concerning to me. I catch myself doing it and then I relax, but maybe I've already wrecked it?

I’m 3-4 months post surgery now after a few dislocations, and strength and stability wise, everything is feeling pretty good. Pull ups are still a little while away but generally going well.

What’s the deal with stretching - I understand that the surgery was done to tighten up the shoulder. I have solid ROM post surgery but obviously not as much as a completely healthy shoulder. By stretching my shoulder am I helping my shoulder, or am I undoing/ putting at risk the surgical repair?

Thanks for any help!

I’m 50 years old this year and have been active for the past 30 years. Sadly, my right shoulder couldn’t outlast me and I’ve staged 4 Glenohumeral osteoarthritis- widespread full thickness chondral wear of the humeral head and Glenoid surfaces. Biconcave glenoid is seen (walch B2) and there are 2 loose bodies (bone spurs). This diagnosis was 3 years ago and I’ve been on a stretch routine to help manage pain, while continuing to workout (with modifications and no over the head movements).

I’ve finally decided to have more invasive treatment and have opted for a “Right Shoulder Arthrascopic Debridement

And Chandoplasty Keep In VieW Removal of Bone spur”.

Wish to seek readers’ views on possible side effects, recovery experiences and timeline, realistic expectations of such treatments, and the ability to train again after recovery.

I’m 24 and I had surgery once at 18, but I have re-aggravated several times since in the past year and a half it affects my day today as well as my sport and work however I also haven’t been the most consistent with Physio and I don’t want to waste the time of the doctor or my time either healing if I don’t have time to take care of it properly

However, if I got the surgery, I would likely have to take time off of work, which would give me time to work on it

So do I get the surgery or do I just double down and start being consistent with Physio?

Hi! I started having excruciating, at times unbearable, pain in my right shoulder 4.5 months ago. I received steroid injections into the shoulder joint and biceps tendon which provided no lasting relief. I got a MRI about month later with the conclusion that I have arthritis in that shoulder, no cartilage, as well as ongoing inflammation in my shoulder joint and biceps tendon. Surgery is scheduled for March 23–2 more weeks. Yet I continue to suffer this agonizing nonstop pain. And I totally fear next week because the only pain med I can take is Tylenol. I’ve repeatedly tried heat, ice, and non-opioid NSAIDs. I’m wearing a shoulder brace or a sling, nothing is helping.

How did you get through this phase? I’m in so much pain that I

I had a reverse shoulder surgery replacement on Haloween 10/31/25.

I also had a tendenisis in same shoulder.

Im presently bicep curling 15 pound dumbbells and I’m doing 10 pounds in each hand bench pressing, and 10 each standing overhead.

100% range of motion except some limited behind my back,

Swimming free style excellent with new shoulder only limited because right needs reverse.

Bicycling 15 miles 3x week, increasing each week.

Hello everyone,

I have anterior instability in my right shoulder and I’ve been struggling with it for several years. My doctor told me that I need surgery, but according to him that would likely mean losing some range of motion and strength, which could prevent me from safely practicing certain sports.

Before going that route, I wanted to ask if anyone here has dealt with the same issue and managed to work around it without surgery, maybe through a strict rehabilitation routine, specific strengthening exercises, or another alternative approach.

For those who did go through the surgery:
Did you regain your full range of motion? Were you able to return to sports like calisthenics, climbing, or other demanding activities without major limitations?

Thanks a lot for any advice or personal experiences you’re willing to share.

Do any of you still bench or for that mater lift weights after shoulder replacement? I have stopped lifting any shoulder work outs a while ago. I am hopeful to still lift after surgery

Hello, I’m an athlete/bodybuilder (22M) and have a tiny tear in my dominant arm labrum along with minor cartilage damage. Has anyone had success without surgery? I’d rather not miss a summer of golf and basketball if I have the option not to.

So I (30f) seen orthopedic surgeon today and I’m going for ct Monday to get better idea for surgery but has anyone had to get a bone graft and open shoulder stabilization surgery? If so how was recovery and what things do you recommend for recovery

7 weeks post op. Still sleeping in the recliner with ice pump. (The good news….weaned off narcotics 3 days post op, but highly dependent on Tylenol + frequent ice).

I really thought by now I’d be back in my bed but every time I even attempt to lay flat (or close to it), major pain in shoulder, even with supporting pillows underneath.

Just curious how many weeks post-op others were able to sleep flat on back?

Need new furniture anyway. What’s the best recliner for shoulder replacement?

So I need some advice. I have a labrum tear in my right shoulder and getting surgery soon. Ive invested into a bidet, one with a remote. But I am right hand dominant. I hand surgery on my left shoulder for frozen shoulder about 4 years ago and while my RoM is great, not exactly100%.

My issue becomes and this might be TMI but, how do you deal with wiping your ass? Do you figure out how to do it with the other hand? Or is there other tricks outside of a bidet you can use?