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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Sports & Exercise > Dislocated shoulder
Posted on: 02/15/2005
Question
I dislocated my shoulder in the summer and it has felt fragile since. I did it again yesterday, it feels a lot better than it did the day after the first time but what kind of treatment is offered to fix it, I want to get back to full cooperation in snowboarding and skateboarding without worrying about my shoulder coming out again.
Answer
This injury usually requires surgery to treat, otherwise 90% of individuals will go on to have recurrent shoulder dislocations, although never as bad as the first one, but further damage can occur each time it happens. With the initial dislocation, a ligament in the front of the shoulder is torn completely. It cannot heal on its own. Although initial pain goes away, the shoulder remains permanently loose, and therefore prone to recurrent dislocations, unless fixed with surgery. You should see a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon.
Answered By:
Sally Harris, MD
Sally Harris, MD