Rugby after bad shoulder problems

[aaron118]

I haven't played rugby in 3 years now due to some bad shoulder problems. In February 2007 I partially-dislocated my right shoulder playing rugby, went off in that game and was back playing within a couple of weeks and played on the rest of that season without any problems. In June 2007 during college pre-season training, the same shoulder started subluxating and it got worse from there and I stopped the contact training, it got so bad I would just throw a tennis ball and it would come out. Anyway that resulted in me finally having open anterior stabilisation surgery in July 2008, with the plan of getting back into rugby by the end of 2008...how wrong I was!

Before I got back involved with rugby, in late 2008 I started to realise my left shoulder had become a bit loose naturally and I could slightly subluxate it posteriorly. So therefore I knew something was wrong and didn't have the confidence to return back to rugby, I had several months physio which helped a little but it finally resulted in me having an arthroscopic posterior capsular plication on my left shoulder in March this year.

Both shoulders now feel stable but more physio is to be done. I still get a lot of non-painful twinging in my right shoulder, but I am told that is just all the scar tissue.

I was only 20 in August and don't want to give up rugby just yet, although seeing as the past 3 years have been a write off it has been something I have kind of accepted. I am just wondering if anyone has returned to rugby after injuries like these? The main thing for me if I do get back playing is confidence in my shoulders, something I have lost completely because of the past 3 years!

[Heidi]

Hi
It may depend what kind of position you play? If you are heaviliy involved in the scrum etc then it would be more difficult.
Make sure you fully strengthen the shoulders and upper back muscles before attempting a return.
A shoulder support may also help, even if it is partly psychological.
Good luck!

[aaron118]

I play in the backs, usually wing or fullback so I wouldn't be in the scrum. Yes I have a Vulkan Double Shoulder Support that I intend to use if I do return, do these help much?

Thanks

[Heidi]

They will help a bit, just to protect the shoulder, stabilise it a little and just make you more confident in it. Obviously though they are not guarenteed to prevent any future injury.

[Sophie Hart]

@aaron118: The same bad experience happened with my elder brother after a serious injury in his right arm and wrist. Really it’s difficult to start your routine practice again.

[aaron118]

What injuries did your brother have and did he return successfully? Heidi I still get a lot of twinging in my right shoulder when I rotate it in a circle at shoulder height, it is not painful but is it normal? I am told it is probably just the scar tissue, is there anything to help stop it twinging though, it's been well over 2 years since my operation on that shoulder.

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi
Yes it probably is either scar tissue or muscle tension. Some good sports massage should be effective at reducing this.