AllBodySurgery.com

I have dislocated my shoulder 6 times and need to have surgery to fix it. Success? Recovery time?

It mostly happens when I am sleeping on my stomach with my arms under the pillow.(Obviously I try not to do this but sometimes I do!) Doc says the ball is too small for the socket. Now after so many times they will do surgery. It is extremely painful and I have a lot of numbness in my forearm. (Bottom) Also some numbness back of the shoulder. How long is the recovery? (Time off work?) What is the success rate? Will I ever be able to swim the butterfly again? I am a 37 year old female. Thanks for any input.

Public Comments

1. well good luck hope you find something that helps you
2. These look like questions for your doctor/surgeon, since only s/he knows specifically what surgery will be done.
3. sorry for the problem u are having. Being frank it is difficult to tell whether you will be able to swim butterfly, but i do not understand how the problem aggravated at this AGE. If the ball is small then the problem SHOULD have been chronic. Surgery and recovery both depend on the type. Post-surgery physiotherapy is something to concentrate upon. Consult some good orthopaedic surgeon for the exact problem and if at all the problem you told could be solved with the surgery he prescribed. at this age it might resolve with just good physiotherapy--my reservations!!
4. Yes, I've been there. I'd dislocated my shoulder several times before ripping out the synovial capsule (that jelly filled capsule that protects the bones from rubbing together and keeps the joint in its socket). The pain was excruciating! I had surgery to repair the damage ( with a couple of screws), and was at home the next day. You'll be sore for awhile, at least till the worst of the inflammation is gone, but you should be on your feet within a week or two. My best advice; get physical therapy to strengthen the muscles as soon as you're able. Professional massage is a wonder for soothing any recurring or lingering pain, and aiding in the recovery of flexibility. Gentle stretching also helps. Cheer up-- you WILL be better soon.Yes, you most probably will be able to do the butterfly again. Just don't try before you're strong enough, or you could end up back where you started.