Shoulder injury and recovery

[Skoot1123]

Well, today became the first time in my hockey "career" that I got injured. Turns out it is a seperated shoulder. My first concern was, how long of a recovery time is it until I can ski? Guess there are a number of factors to that, but what have you experienced? Thanks in advance!

[rok]

Make sure you know exactly what the injury was (in my case, the rotator cuff and a practically ruptured Supraspinal tendon). Then get good PT. I couldn't ski for 3 mos., then resumed slowly at a line length where I was sure I wouldn't do another cartwheel with my arm in the water, which was the original cause of the rupture (My shoulder was already somewhat compromised as a result of a smashed collarbone some years ago...). I still do a lot of specific stretching for the shoulder, but pretty happy with it now, so if you treat it right you should be good. My therapist actually approved of the mechanics of skiing on my shoulder ( as long as I didn't fall on it again).

 

[Skoot1123]

Thanks @rok I'll get to see an ortho Dr next week. My sister is a PT so that helps. Main thing is to keep it moving and not let it sit still and tell the PT you waterski. Right now - being cautious. Glad I have worked out so hard this winter. That will help with rehab.

[6balls]

First, I always wonder about this kind of thing...you were told it was a shoulder separation but not told the answers or did not ask the questions you posted here on an internet forum? I'm not bashing you...just saying geez...if s'one diagnosed this issue for you they should be able to give you proper information/recommendations.

 

AC separation is an entirely different animal than rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis muscles).

 

For the most part AC separations are not treated operatively. Worst I had was a 16 y.o. stud who came in and I could basically put my thumb underneath his collarbone and above his acromion. Xray showed a ridiculously wide AC separation. I almost always care for these myself but this one seemed like the extreme.

 

I sent him to the orthopedic sports medicine fellowship trained doc that is the team physician for a number of pro-sports teams in Minneapolis, including the hockey team.

 

He did nothing operative, started him in PT and told him when pain tolerates he can play...even if that meant next week.

 

As mentioned above, make sure you know exactly what you injured and the accurate diagnosis, and take the recommendations of your doc before an internet forum...even one as cool as BOS.

[BraceMaker]

SITS!

[SkiJay]

Bummer timing @Skoot1123! If when cleared to ski, your shoulder doesn't like the pull or hits, the Goode PowerVest might help it finish healing while you ski.

[Bdecker]

@Skoot1123, sorry to hear about your shoulder. I drilled mine in a snow ski crash in early February, PT diagnosed it as an impingement. It took me a good month of rest and PT treatments to get it to the point where I can start doing strengthening exercises again. I'm actually glad we're still frozen around here because it probably needs another month. Good luck, don't try to push it to much too soon, I definitely did that early and had to back off.

[liquid d]

Try the powervest for a while when you're cleared to ski. It's a bit different, but the chance of taking a big shot is almost zero. It's great for recovery. Gets you back on the water.

[skiron07]

PT, pt, pt-

had mine dislocated back in '05; decided to roll the dice- came out easily the next yr.; had it rebuilt and have been doing PT ever since as a lifestyle choice; this year I'm also doing a lot of much heavier weight

pt, pt, pt

 

[XR6Hurricane]

I fell on the ice in my driveway at the end of January, it was a Type 1 or 2 (not sure) AC separation plus a fractured collarbone. Got out of my truck and went straight over without time to put my arm out (fortunately). Was in a sling for 4 weeks, then started therapy at about 7 weeks. I've got a few therapy sessions left. My progress has gone in stages, not gradual. One day I'd wake up and one more catch or sore spot would be gone. From 2 - 4 weeks I made a huge jump. Originally I was told 8 weeks to return to normal activities and it was 8 weeks last Thursday. I feel like I could probably ski now but I'm still having some ups and downs with really sore/tight muscles in the surrounding area, but only on certain days. Surprisingly the pain in the actual AC joint hasn't been the biggest cause of my discomfort.

 

 

[Skoot1123]

@6balls - no issue with your comments, I didn't give all the details of seeing the Dr etc. I went in to my Dr and looked at it and ordered x-rays and said he would get back to me before the end of the day. Since he is a family Doc he said he would just refer me to an Ortho specialist. I'll see the Ortho next week sometime, hopefully Monday, then I'll be able to ask more pertinent questions to a specialist. Luckily my dad is a Dr as well, so they know all about my situation with skiing. The unfortunate thing is that my dad and sister are halfway across the country. But they did indicate that recovery time would be well before I go to Cobles in June.

 

Thanks for the well wishes. Can't wait to get to back to my conditioning program!

 

@bdecker - I too am glad (now at least) that the season is still a couple months away, otherwise it would be brutal!!

[Brady]

@Skoot1123 So sorry to hear about this man. @6balls would know the most about your shoulder seeing as how he is a doc! And a good one at that. From my experience, Shoulders suck!! I have been shooting cortisone in both of mine for years. They take forever to heal and it will be easy to re-injure it in the future. The best thing that has helped me has been to lift weights. Not heavy, but lots of reps. Good luck man! @BraceMaker What are SITS?

[BraceMaker]

Its the mneumonic for the muscles of the rotator cuff - listed in 6balls post.

 

I fell flat on my back doing some ice skating last year and have a subscapular pain, with popping noises with scapular motions since. It has recently reduced with rope climbing.

 

So I wish you speedy recovery!

[Texas6]

@skoot1123, really sorry to hear about your shoulder. I know you were working hard to get ready for the season. For what it's worth, I injured mine pretty badly two seasons ago at the very end of the season (torn labrum), and I was back on the water the following season and feeling really strong. Being strong before tour injury usually speeds recovery

[Skoot1123]

Well, Dr. told me yesterday that it was a grade three separation, with a chance of it being a grade 4 (which requires surgury). I am going to a shoulder specialist next Tuesday. He was surprised at how good my ROM was considering my injury occurred on the 29th of March. That was good news at least. If it remains a grade three separation then 12 weeks and I'll have full use of the shoulder again. Recovery and therapy will be determined after I see the specialist. Just so happens that my trip to Coble's is exactly 12 weeks after my injury. Go figure.

[ForrestGump]

One thing I found with my labrum tear in my hip and shoulder(and if you seperated it, I can't imagine you don't have some sort of tear in the labrum) is that reducing the inflammation was a huge key. My ortho put me on celebrex for the first month. It's amazing the difference I saw in the pain, inflammation, and range of motion in 5-7 days.

[LZywicki1]

After see the Dr. and getting a MRI on my shoulder, I have a bone spur that affects the rotator cuff. Rehab was going to be about 3-4 months. Before going in, Dr. recommended trying an topical gel call Voltaren, spelling might be wrong. It's like ben-gay with a anti-inflammatory. Worked wonders for me and no surgery.

[Skoot1123]

@shaneH - I have been using ice diligently since I separated it. Glad your range of motion improved quickly! Is it back to 100%?

[ForrestGump]

@onamission Voltaren Gel is great stuff. I'm allergic to NSAIDs, so I can't take ibuprofen, alleve, or even aspiran. But Voltaren Gel and Celebrex I can take. And both worked wonders for me. The Voltaren worked better when I tore a rhomboid than with my shoulder or hip.

 

 

[Than_Bogan]

Celebrex is not an NSAID? (Serious question: I'm no doctor; don't even play one on TV. Just thought it was.)

[ForrestGump]

@Than_Bogan Celebrex is a selective Nsaid, whereas ibuprofen, alleve, and aspirin are non selective. It targest the Cox-2 enzyme, which is primarily associated with pain and inflammation. Non selective target both Cox-1 and Cox-2. Cox-1 is associated with gastro protection and platelet production. So a Cox-2 inhibitor don't change the coagulant properties of the blood and typically won't irritate the stomach.

 

I've played doctor before, but that in no way infers possession of a medical degree. :)

[Skoot1123]

Shoulder specialist visited today - 6 weeks of recovery as it is only a grade 2 separation. A relief for me to hear that. Will be back in no time and ready for Coble's!!

[XR6Hurricane]

@Skoot1123 Good news...mine was a "1+, possibly a 2" and I had the fractured collarbone at the same time. I wasn't able to start therapy until almost 7 weeks. Got discharged from therapy yesterday. This Thursday will be 10 weeks and today was the first time it felt 99% for the entire day. I have full range but the last few degrees are a little crunchy.

[Skoot1123]

@xr6hurricane - glad your doing better as well!! My Dr said I wouldn't need physical therapy either, as my range of motion was so good. It has gotten better each day. Best part now - I can pick up my girls!!

[Skoot1123]

Been a little over 4 weeks. Have full mobility in my arm. Have started exercises to strengthen surround muscles in my shouder. Starting with some light weight and static lifts. Will progress as I feel able.

[Ham_Wallace]

I had a total rebuild in 2004. No problems. 4 month recovery. No pain during recovery or PT. Ron Goodman had told me about Juven at the Nationals. I read up on it and started taking it 30 days before surgery. I don't know if it helped or not but my rehab was a breeze. Check it out at www.juven.com and good luck!

[Skoot1123]

Thanks @ham Wallace !

[A_B]

@Ham, is that 4 months to jump or slalom? We never know with you. :)

[tfriess]

not sure how yours happened but i got hit playing puck as well open-ice by a kid 225 and im only 150. didnt do any PT, never saw anyone, just let it do its thing. Its been well over a year now and im still feeling the effects of it. Cant do pushups correctly and still gives me pain from time to time. Wish I wouldve seen someone when it happened, now I will probably feel it for my whole life.

[tfriess]

goodluck to you!

[Skoot1123]

@tfriess - you could always try some pt now. Might be "too late" but it could help strengthen the muscles surrounding your shoulder. I'm doing shoulder shrugs, arms out straight and arms out to the side. Right now I'm using a 5 lbs weight. Feels good but is usually sore afterwards - not necessarily a bad thing. Good luck to you too!

[Razorskier1]

My experience is that it is all about proper rehab. My right shoulder surgery for a torn labrum was a complete success due to a great surgeon and proper PT. Same with my left biceps tendon (and my various other surgeries). Be smart, don't rush, and enjoy lots more seasons on the water.

[Ham_Wallace]

4 months to-the-day and I was in the water. Feb 19th 2004. What a great day. Made a bunch of turns at 22' off. Ran a back-to-back 22 and then in the boat. The next day I ran 10 22's back-to-back. After that, the confidence returned and it was on with life. The weather was somewhat sporadic so, it wasn't balls to the wall from there.