Dislocated my arm-2nd time

**Joanne** · 03-04-2005, 05:16 AM

Last week(Friday) while training, I did an overhead lob. I don't know how, maybe the swing went wrong or something like that. The next thing, I was grabbing my shoulder, it was dislocated. After a while it went back in place, great relief! But after that my arm/shoulder was pretty sore when I held it at certain angles.

So I skipped 2 training sessions, and today(Friday) I resumed training assuming I'd be okay. It wasn't sore anymore.

Then when playing a doubles game, I lobbed overhead again and it went out of place again! This time it took much longer to get back in place. When it did I breathed a great sigh of relief.

But this time it's much more painful as compared to last week.

So what should I do? I followed my coach's advice last week, to do push ups. But it still went out of place when I thought I was okay.

This time he told me to lift weights(about 3-4kg). I'll do that.

But my main question is, how long do I need to rest? I've actually got a tournament(KLBA doubles open) next Friday.. I really don't want to skip it.. but..

Any advice? How long to rest, what to do to prevent it from dislocating it again?

Actually, it can be considered my 4th time dislocating, but the 1st 2 times my left arm/shoulder was the 'victim' and it had nothing to do with badminton, and I'm a right hander so it doesn't affect me much.

**Gollum** · 03-04-2005, 06:01 AM

Many people become quite casual about dislocations, once they have happened a few times. This is dangerous.

A shoulder dislocation is a major injury. For a good chance of a full recovery, it requires rest. You should consult a doctor and a physiotherapist.

Subsequent dislocations become progressively easier to "pop back in". Some people take this as a good sign: the injury is easier to deal with. In reality, it is a very bad sign indeed.

When you "pop back in" the shoulder, this is called reducing the dislocation. The reason that reduction becomes easier each time is this: the ligaments have become stretched and loose. This is bad, because the ligaments connect and control a joint; loose ligaments will reduce your control and make you prone to future injuries. That's why you are more likely to dislocate the joint again - the ligaments can no longer function as effectively.

With good physiotherapy, it is possible to regain at least some of the former stabilty of the joint. Stretched ligaments can be treated, but their future condition depends heavily upon what you do after the injury.

Be careful. Speak to an expert about this. Your coach is unlikely to have a medical background, and so he is probably not qualified to advise you. I would avoid exercise for a while, except the exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist.

**Joanne** · 03-04-2005, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Gollum

Many people become quite casual about dislocations, once they have happened a few times. This is dangerous.

A shoulder dislocation is a major injury. For a good chance of a full recovery, it requires rest. You should consult a doctor and a physiotherapist.

Subsequent dislocations become progressively easier to "pop back in". Some people take this as a good sign: the injury is easier to deal with. In reality, it is a very bad sign indeed.

When you "pop back in" the shoulder, this is called reducing the dislocation. The reason that reduction becomes easier each time is this: the ligaments have become stretched and loose. This is bad, because the ligaments connect and control a joint; loose ligaments will reduce your control and make you prone to future injuries. That's why you are more likely to dislocate the joint again - the ligaments can no longer function as effectively.

With good physiotherapy, it is possible to regain at least some of the former stabilty of the joint. Stretched ligaments can be treated, but their future condition depends heavily upon what you do after the injury.

Be careful. Speak to an expert about this. Your coach is unlikely to have a medical background, and so he is probably not qualified to advise you. I would avoid exercise for a while, except the exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist.

Well, this time it seemed harder to 'pop' back in. I'll most likely be seeing a doctor tomorrow(too late now, night).

My coach dislocated his shoulder before, and went for physiotherapy, so I doubt his advice could be wrong.

You said I should rest, but how long?

**Neil Nicholls** · 03-04-2005, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by Joanne

You said I should rest, but how long?

Until it's better...

We can't say how long.
That's for your doctor/physio to say.

**FEND.** · 03-04-2005, 06:38 AM

Praying for a speedy recovery.

I think prolly you over did it, when you overhead lobbed it you stretched your arm too much to get it. Good luck in your tourney if you play.

**Gollum** · 03-04-2005, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by Joanne

Well, this time it seemed harder to 'pop' back in.

That's an encouraging sign

It's not too late to save your ligaments! Be as patient as your doctor and physio recommend.

**Joanne** · 03-04-2005, 09:12 AM

Think I've got to pull out of that tournament. It's only a week away, and today I dislocated my shoulder after a week's rest.. so obviously 7 days of rest is far from enough. I MAY be able to join it as long as I don't overdo it.. Today I trained for 1 1/2 hours and was fine. Then I played a doubles game against 2 men.. of course their lobs were strong so I had to try and challenge their lobs.. maybe that's why it came out. Halfway through it

How long more? I'm impatient! I barely lasted a week without badminton..

Thanks for all your concern & advice by the way

**FEND.** · 03-04-2005, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Joanne

Think I've got to pull out of that tournament. It's only a week away, and today I dislocated my shoulder after a week's rest.. so obviously 7 days of rest is far from enough. I MAY be able to join it as long as I don't overdo it.. Today I trained for 1 1/2 hours and was fine. Then I played a doubles game against 2 men.. of course their lobs were strong so I had to try and challenge their lobs.. maybe that's why it came out. Halfway through it

How long more? I'm impatient! I barely lasted a week without badminton..

Thanks for all your concern & advice by the way

Have you checked with a doctor? Better be sure than sorry.

**Joanne** · 03-05-2005, 12:39 AM

Just went to see one. Did a few x-rays, the doctor said the bone is in place, but he did say no badminton for a month.

Actually, first he said no badminton. Then he must have seen my face, so he added "for a month". Until the next check up. But he said I can play a little bit of badminton here and there when I asked if I had to stop completely. Just no lifting up my arm higher than my shoulders(No drops, lobs, smashes etc).

Guess it's time to start practising my serves. Lol. Maybe it's a good thing, I'm always too impatient to practice my low service..

Now I'll have no choice.

***Cheung*** · 03-05-2005, 12:46 AM

Out of curiosity, did you see a general practitioner (a family doctor) or an orthopaedic specialist?

**Joanne** · 03-05-2005, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by Cheung

Out of curiosity, did you see a general practitioner (a family doctor) or an orthopaedic specialist?

Well actually I went to a private hospital. I was first brought to see a doctor, after she asked me some questions and checked my shoulder, she directed me to see a orthopaedic specialist at the hospital. So.. I saw both.

What kind of strokes should I practice now that I can't lift my arm higher then my shoulder?

**cooler** · 03-05-2005, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by Joanne

Well actually I went to a private hospital. I was first brought to see a doctor, after she asked me some questions and checked my shoulder, she directed me to see a orthopaedic specialist at the hospital. So.. I saw both.

What kind of strokes should I practice now that I can't lift my arm higher then my shoulder?

best if you give your whole arms a rest.
just do other exercise that build on your other badminton skills

1. stamina
2. footwork
3. if u must want to touch your racquet, do underhand lift clears, low serving.

**FEND.** · 03-05-2005, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by Joanne

Well actually I went to a private hospital. I was first brought to see a doctor, after she asked me some questions and checked my shoulder, she directed me to see a orthopaedic specialist at the hospital. So.. I saw both.

What kind of strokes should I practice now that I can't lift my arm higher then my shoulder?

Low Serves!!! Netdrops!!! Crosscourt net drops!!! In between the legs!!! (maybe not

)

Footwork???

**bluejeff** · 03-05-2005, 05:26 AM

Wow, that's no fun

shoulder-pop sucks!

I would recommend you to get some of the supports (if any, I have seen some shoulder supports, it's kind of like half of a t-shirt size, but I am not sure if it helps or not on the dislocation.) plus go to the doc first

**other** · 03-05-2005, 11:49 AM

the shoulder joint is not very stable..once it is injured give it lots of rest (like the doctor said), and plus you've got loads of nerves and stuff running through your shoulder area....too much dislocating and popping back in might accidentaly catch a nerve...your too young to suffer a nerve injury in your shoulder

**Joanne** · 03-07-2005, 01:07 AM

Most likely I'll be resting my shoulder, will go jogging and lift light weights to strengthen my shoulder. I'll prevent myself from picking the racquet up for 2 weeks.. Because I just found out that the inter-school zone level tournament MAY be early April, instead of April 18.

I've never seen 'shoulder guards' being sold before, is there even such a thing?

Sigh.. rest.

**FEND.** · 03-07-2005, 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by Joanne

Most likely I'll be resting my shoulder, will go jogging and lift light weights to strengthen my shoulder. I'll prevent myself from picking the racquet up for 2 weeks.. Because I just found out that the inter-school zone level tournament MAY be early April, instead of April 18.

I've never seen 'shoulder guards' being sold before, is there even such a thing?

Sigh.. rest.

Just becareful of the weights if you're gonna do weight lifting.