Shoulder pain and shoulder surgery

[kelmarie]

Hi everyone,

Ok, so here goes-

My problems started years ago when my right shoulder felt like it came out and went back in several times: doing a tennis serve, during a fall and even whilst asleep. I now know this is a partial dislocation. Almost 2 years ago, I dislocated fully the same right shoulder which had to be put back in in A&E (after being out for about 1.5 hours-very painful!!!). I have since had pain at the front of my shoulder, and sometimes get pain down my arms and in my hands. Following a MRI (with a contrast media inserted into my shoulder) I have been told I have a torn labrum that requires surgery. So, firstly I wondered if anyone had an experience of this? I have been told by a physio that the pain is not the same as trauma pain but I'm still quite anxious about it. Also, the surgeon wants to do this as open surgery-I'm not sure what the reasons could be for this? I'm not keen on a 10cm scar, so am definitely going to discuss this with him! Also, as for rehab, how long does it take to regain normal function and say be back in the gym?

Now, my left shoulder has always been fine, but Friday after a gym workout, whilst changing gear in my can on the way home, I felt something crunch at the back of my left shoulder. It wasn't intense pain, but it did hurt and has been aching all weekend on my back but more so across the front of my shoulder and down my arm. I went to my GP this morning as I am concerned about it and they said it doesn't seem like anything to worry about and couldn't tell me what it is. Does anyone know what it could be? Also, they may tell me it is nothing to worry about but having surgery on the other side makes me want to fully prevent anything else going wrong!

I don't know if it makes a difference but the surgeon told me that due to the type of collagen I have, that all my joints are lax (doesn't sound good to me...!).

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Kelly x

[Heidi]

Hi
Sorry to hear about your shoulder problems.
Definately make sure you speak to the surgeon and are happy with the procedure before you agree to go ahead. After all, it is your shoulder! Make sure you understand why he wants to do things a certain way. You are right that with an open surgery, the healing time is longer as the scar is much larger.
As for the left shoulder, hopefully you will find this will just clear up. It may be a muscular injury (either a small tear or just a muscle spasm) which may be radiating pain down the arm. This isn't unusual and they usually clear up by themselves within a week or so.
Having lax ligaments does pre-dispose you to injuries like shoulder dislocations and ankle sprains too.