Dislocated shoulder - should I still play?

Question

So, exactly a year ago I experienced a anterior dislocation of my right shoulder while playing in a very important tourney. I really don't want to end my rugby days this way, however therapy didn't help much and it has come out twice since. Am I crazy to try playing again? I have a shoulder brace, but I hate wearing it! I want to hear from someone who has a similar injury and has made it back! Thanks!

Answer 1

keep playing...that's what rugby is all about, i've dislocated both of my shoulders and broken two fingers and i'm still playing...it's all about heart

Answer 2

Rugby is the BEST sport to play, in my opinion.  The only trick is that you have to be careful so that you don't pay for playing by ruining your body. If your doc says to play with the brace, I would listen to him.  I understand where you're coming from though, it's a hard sport to quit.

Answer 3

I did the same thing when i used to play rugby. You have to make sure you are right to play again. When i first started playing again i was a bit worried that i would do it again, but with the right training and physio then there should be no problem. JUST KEEP GOING!!!!

Answer 4

provided your doctor hasv said ok why not

Answer 5

I haven't dislocated my shoulder, but I have played with two teammates who have. One who had chronic problems and would be seen rolling on the ground popping her shoulder back in every few matches. She finally had surgery on the shoulder and while she still wore a brace, it never came out again. (and she was a little scrum half who got mauled a lot.)

My other teammate dislocated it once, and played with a brace after that. I don't recall it ever coming out again.

So- my suggestion: look into surgery to tighten everything back up again. You will be out of the game for a couple of months, but it should keep things in place. As far as the brace goes, try wearing it more often, and see if you can get more used to it. Try to not stop playing until you're after 40 or run out of replacement parts. :)

Answer 6

If you dislocate you shoulder you should wait six to eight weeks, until your doctor gives you the okay to play again. If it comes out again, it demonstrates that the muscules and ligaments took too much dammage to heal on their own and you need an operation to fix it.

The operation me brother had was called a Petit-Platt, basically they cut through all the muscle and stuff and pull it tighter and then sew it into place, so it doesn't come out.

My brother hasn't had any problems since the operation, but was told at the time if it came out agin that was it.