Shoulder Issues

First off I am a mountain biker and I get injured. We fall down hills, land on bikes, rocks, and twist lots of joints too far. It happens and I accept that.

2 years ago I took an extra nasty fall and ended up tearing my labrum and dislocating my shoulder (got a concussion while wearing a helmet too) I had surgery, went to PT, and took it easy all summer. It's two years later and I can bike, lift, and do pretty much anything without restriction because of the shoulder.

However, I still have pain and some popping when the shoudler is directly used. I consulted my PT about this and they said since I still have no restrictions on my daily life there's not much to do. We tried more stretching and some goofy exersises with mroe of those bungee ropes to no avail.

When I pull up on the bars of my bike all day I'm very sore in only my left shoudler, when I curl dumbells at the gym I feel the pop, and I can't maintain a stress on that shoulder for as long as my right due to pain (like laying on my side on the couch propping myself up with an elbow)

There are no more tears or anything 'wrong' with my shoulder, the doctor made sure of that with more MRI's... I hate MRI's. The only answer I got now is that "shoulders are tough, and rarely are 100% healed after sustaining trauma to the extent you did."

I don't like that answer and am simply venting that I may always have a nagging shoulder following me around. I'm 19 years old and lead a very active lifestyle.

You guys will be seeing me post a bunch in the next 3 weeks because of a broken wrist. I broke my wrist playing 'ultimate frisbee' at a park with some buddies. haha, I broke my wrist playing frisbee! I can laugh about it because there is almost no chance this will linger. It's a simple fracture that just needs to be imobilized for a couple of weeks.
 
I hear ya...

I hear ya man... I'm 22 and I have similar shoulder problems. SO FRUSTRATING!!

I've been training for a military test whose exercises include pushups, pullups, swimming, situps, and running. Right now.. I can't do the first three on that list. I was on the bench one day and my spotter (who's a tool anyhow) wouldn't help me up on the last rep of a harder set for me...he was yelling "push it out!". I guess he meant my shoulder out of it's socket, because that's what nearly happened. After that, my left shoulder pops whenever I raise past 90 degrees.

I waited about 2 months (as much as I allowed myself... I still snuck in pushups every once in a while), then started back to my regular routine. After that short-lived attempt, both shoulders popped and hurt. Finally I submitted and went to the hospital for the first time in my life. Pysical Therapy wasn't really that helpful. It seems almost like they don't know what to do with shoulder injuries. I would suggest possible problems or solutions and all of a sudden they'd get a surprised look on their face and say "yes, that's just might be it!"

Right now they have me on a series of shoulder, lat, and bicep stretches... followed by an hour of ice (on 10 mins, off 10 mins). It feels good afterwards (albeit still popping). Actually, it feels great to do any working out these days. I hate looking in the mirror and seeing my body waste away and not being able to do anything about it without further injuring myself.

I'll cut it off there.. I could rant for days.. lol.

How long after your initial injury did they give you an MRI? I've yet to get even an X-Ray.

- James
 
I went to the doctors the week of my injury because like I said, it was dislocated and I was in agonizing pain. The orthopedic I saw is one of the best sports medicine guys in the area so it's usually a long wait to get in, but I managed to work out a quick appointment because it was an emergency.

We both knew immediatly that an MRI was needed because it was dislocated and wouldn't stay in place when I moved my arm up over my head. I got the pictures taken the day after I saw the orthopedic and then went back with the results the day after the MRI. Surgery was the following week. Then the big, black, pain in the ass brace was worn for the next 6 weeks.
 
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