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northl1
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Fri, 07 September 07 05:29 GMT
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There are several shoulder supports on the market. I can't guarentee that they comply with the regulations though.
Really you need to try a few out and see what feels best for you.
I'm not sure how effective they really are. It may be more psychological. Certainly I find oponents appear to target a visible support.
More effective to begin with may be specialist taping and strapping as avised by a physio. However there are several schools of thought on this. First is that you are either fit to return or you ar not and a bit of sticky tape isn't going to help. Second says that you should train without support to help strengthen and play with support for reassurance. Thirdly some say that any force strong enough to cause injury should be allowed to take the path of least resistance in order to minimise damage. Tape strengthens a joint to such a degree that the impact is forced to take another route, causing damage to another area, often more difficult to treat. Finally most people agree propper taping by someone who knows what they are doing safely supports a weakened joint.
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CClemons
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Fri, 07 September 07 03:29 GMT
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I have a similar injury (mine happened last April) and this thread has been very helpful. I am eager to get back into the game and I believe I have strengthened my shoulder since the accident.
I'm curious if there is any protective equipment that I can wear which could help protect it from blows or dislocating it again.
Thanks
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northl1
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Fri, 23 February 07 11:30 GMT
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That's great news.
Just to echo ctrainers point though - and as a genaral point not just your son.
In my experience players have injury prone "seasons" (like JW. I beleive this because as they either come back too soon or too hard to make up for lost time, or when they come back they try and protect their injury leading to poor technique and a new injury.
So maybe to begin with fitness work(no matter what he will have lost some) and technique drills before going into a full contact match.
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Junction29
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Thu, 22 February 07 12:24 GMT
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He's just been discharged by the physio who's given hime the all clear to start playing again in a couple of weeks time
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ctrainor
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Fri, 16 February 07 20:37 GMT
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Just an observation. I was one of those guys who "popped" his shoulder every few weeks.
I was only playing social 3rd team rugby but eventually led to 2 years out of the game and a big op and scar at 25 years old when I was playing seriously at 1st tem level.
Advice for me is don't come back too early and watch your son to ensure he is not favouring his good shoulder in the tackle thus getting his head in the wrong place.
"I know I was there" but fortunately got away with it and am now happily retired and refereeing.
Interestingly it used to pop out when swimming also so that may not be the best thing to rush into Especially in a public pool where you can be relaxed an somebody swims into you.
Best of luck with the rehab. it worked for me and carried on til 42.
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Ciaran Trainor |
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garner6503
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Sun, 07 January 07 08:29 GMT
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I play with a guy in his mid 20's who pops his shoulder 3/4 times a season.He usually gets it back in by himself with the occasional a/e visit but it doesn't seem to detract from his enjoyment of playing the game.
Mind you it does look like it hurts just a little!!!
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Ruck and Maul |
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dutch
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Mon, 11 December 06 17:58 GMT
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So far Ok. Bicpes curls are to maintain the elbow joint mobility. Emphasis is to maintain flexion and then straighten to maintain extension. With upper limb injuries, if the arm is immobised then you lose the motion at the unaffected joints eg. elbow, wrist and fingers.
Get him to work his hand by squeezing squash balls, grippers etc to work the forearm without putting stress on the shoulder.
The isometirc exercises for the shoulder are to maintain the contractability of the rotator cuff muscles. The Physiotherapist will then encourage passive movement of the shoulder to regain full range movement and then start a programme of gradual strengthening to stabilise the shoulder. If there are any problems in Jan then the specialist will probably MRI scan the shoulder to check there is no soft tissue tears which need surgical repair.
This message edited on Mon, 11 December 06 by dutch
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Junction29
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Mon, 11 December 06 14:37 GMT
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Just come back from the first physio session at the local hospital. He's had it in a 'sling' for the last three weeks, day and night, to help recovery. It was akin to carrying a video camera case on your waist with the forearm strapped to it.
Apparently, this is fairly new, and is designed to help better recovery of the ligaments. We were told that if you have it in a sling across the chest the ligaments can either be stretched or shortened in this position - hope this makes sense to someone.
The slings now off. He's got some simple 'isometric' exercises to perform, and some light bicep curls, and he's going back next week.
He'll also be seeing the specialist in early January ( who, incidentally gave him the sling)
Does that sound ok so far, Dutch??
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dutch
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Mon, 11 December 06 07:48 GMT
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Hi Whistleblower,
I am a Chartered Physiotherapist with a speciality in sports medicine. If you have suffered a dislocated shoulder then this should be assessed by an appropriate practitioner. The GP is not such a person. If you are going down the NHS route then the GP should refer on as a matter of course. However, in this day and age of budget constraints etc etc some may be reluctant to do this especially if it occured as a result of playing rugby, classifying it as 'self inflicted' ie they do not agree with contact sports. Sadly there are still such Drs about!
If the GP still refuses to send the patient then my advice would be to go along to your nearest A and E explain you have had a dioslocated should and it is giving you problems. They will probably refer you to fracture clinic to be assessed. Hopefully if the shoulder has been dislocated you will have ended up in A and E anyway.
With regard to rehab again this is a problem these days due to constraints on finances. In an ideal world your specialist will arrange for physio on the NHS.
Some GP services may have physio on site at their surgery but that practitioner may not have the experience to properly rehab the shoulder. If you have private medical insurance then this will probably be the route you take to be properly assessed and treated.
I would be surprised if a GP refused to offer treatment following a dislocated shoulder. Whether it is your right to have such treatment is difficult to answer. Personally I would say yes but in this day and age!!!!!!!!
If you have a club physio then maybe treatment can be arranged via your club.
I left the NHS 18 years ago and have been working privately ever since and am involved in treating patients from recreational sport through to elite professional. Easy for me, not so easy for others.
Although cover for sports related injuries is hugely better than when I played it is still poor when compared to countries such as Australia.
Hope this has been helpful.
This message edited on Mon, 11 December 06 by dutch
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the whistleblower
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Fri, 08 December 06 15:11 GMT
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Dutch - you sound knowledgeable. Do you have a medical background? If so, can you say whether one has a right to see such a specialist, even if your GP is reluctant to refer?
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Whistleblower |
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dutch
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Wed, 06 December 06 10:01 GMT
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1st step see a specialist orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in shoulders. 2nd step be advised by him/her as to whether surgery is implicated. After which thorough rehab from a Chartered Physiotherapist who not only is a sports injury specialist with a MSc degree but is also experienced in rugby and can develop the rehab specifically towards playing again and in particular for your position.
Even after this there is still the chance that the shoulder can pop again. Remember Iuan Evans of Wales and British Lions damaged his shoulder three times and had three lots of surgery and still came back to go on a third Lions tour!!!
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the whistleblower
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Tue, 05 December 06 14:36 GMT
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Just to add a codicil, Martin Johnson's career could have been stopped by a shoulder injury well before he became England captain. He outlines the rehab in his autobiography.
In my experience, there is a type of GP who thinks that swimming is the only sensible exercise, and this type will not advocate rehab from a serious injury with a view to playing again. If your GP is one such, you'll need to look elsewhere for sensible advice concerning sports injuries.
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Whistleblower |
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Junction29
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Mon, 27 November 06 21:30 GMT
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Thanks for all of the excellent and helpful advice, i'm very grateful to everyone who took the time to respond.
J29
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therugbycoach
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Mon, 27 November 06 20:03 GMT
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make sure he has been scanned for any ligament damage or rotater cuff damage, as generally if the shoulder has gone back in its seen as ok. but damage to any of the above could result in unstability. then do a build up of all shoulder muscles. specially deltoids.... But once its settled and built up he should have a good rugby life in front of him. ive known people to have popped a shoulder on many occasions and carried on in the future
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northl1
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Mon, 27 November 06 14:08 GMT
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A good physio may also help make the recovery more effective and permanent. The correct treatment and exercises can ensure the healing tissue remains strong and strengthen the muscles to provide extra stability.
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northl1
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Mon, 27 November 06 09:10 GMT
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It's only been a week - give it plenty of time. As has previously been said listen to the experts and be aware everyone is different.
Wait for the tissue damage from the dislocation to settle down then seek advice from an expert on whether there is permanent damage, the risk of further damage and if remedial action such as surgery can be taken.
I know players that played for years - popping their shoulder almost every week and popping it back in themselves - but they were adults who understood the risks and I suspect they have very limited movement now.
At 16 your son probably doesn't know what he wants to do with his life - having two good shoulders may be very important in years to come.
My advice would be not to rush it. Explain that rushing back into rugby could end his playing career, but if he is prepared to take 6-12 months off and get expert advice he could easily come back.
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hans off
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Sun, 26 November 06 16:58 GMT
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"Don't listen to the old f*rts on here - get expert advice!"
Soundest advice possible!!!
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nicknell
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Sun, 26 November 06 16:48 GMT
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I dislocated my left shoulder when I was 25 and had no adverse reaction after 6 weeks rest, and played for another 18 years.
Last Christmas I dislocated my right shoulder in a skiing accident and ended my playing career.
I've been taking glucosamine sulphate and condroitin supplements for 9 months so that I can ski again this Christmas (I also ruptured my acromio clavicular ligament in the accident) and have found that my knees, hips and neck are all improving, as a consquence as is my shoulder!
Don't listen to the old f*rts on here - get expert advice!
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MattyJ09
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Sun, 26 November 06 16:38 GMT
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try this link
http://www.limmatsharks.com/files/shoulder_strengthening.pdf
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MattyJ09
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Sun, 26 November 06 16:37 GMT
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many players play on with this sort of injury. In much later life it may mean he has diminishing movement....but this is going to be in his elderly years. I suffered the same injury that required surgery and now play again. I was advised to do strengthening exercises on the tiny muscles in that group. It involved doi rotations with a silly weight of maybe 2.5 kg. I would recommend talking to a sports therapist who will give both you and your son a more objective view!
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didds
- scrumtime@hotmail.com
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Sun, 26 November 06 14:55 GMT
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short answer, yes - but its different horses for different courses.
HOWEVER - medical advice taken first etc. Ask the consultant if he feels that if left for a year/month/decade then likelihood may diminish... the gauge your decision from there.
If the answer is no never again, bear in mind that if your somn wants to stay in gthe game then he can take a RFU coaching course at 16 years (presumably not that far away) and AIUI can take a refs foundation course NOW with a view to reffing ages younger than himself.
And all clubs need volunteers!
didds
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Junction29
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Sun, 26 November 06 12:47 GMT
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My 16 year old son dislocated his shoulder in a game last weekend. The consultant told him that there's a very high chance of it dislocating again. He wants to continue playing, but as a non rugby playing parent, I'm obviously concerned for his welfare. Is it feasible for someone to continue to play successfully after sustaining this sort of injury?
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