Shoulder Injury and Cycling

eeeee

Hello

I was just wondering if anyone else has dislocated their shoulder and how long it took you to get back on the bike properly?

I dislocated mine after somersaulting off the bike on a patch of oil at a roundabout a month and a half ago. the day I got 'released' from my sling/strapping I went for spin and the pain nearly killed me, I pulled a load of muscles and my neck/upperback went into spasm for 11 days after. Lesson learnt. I still can't go any distance on the bike, even after just 10 mins on it now it starts acting up. It's like the vibration from the road jar it? It does be sore for a good couple of days after even that little bit

I am having physio, and am under her supervision. I am a bit shocked at how long it is taking to mend. Has anyone else been through something similar? Do you have any tips? What did you find helped? I am doing loads of physio and some pool exercises but it is taking so looong to heal and I am missing the bike like crazy.

I hope this works ok, I have never 'made' a thread before

mrcheez

Collision with a bus back in Feb, which resulted in my shoulder blade slicing into my back. Initial pain went down after around 2-3 months but my shoulder still gives me grief and the shoulder blade still "rubs" on the scar tissue which produces a throbbing pain.

For a dislocated shoulder I'd expect approx 5 months for it to completely heal, but unfortunately there may be long-term issues like stiffness etc

My main tip would be to let it rest, otherwise you will have issues later on. Arthritis ain't nice!

eeeee

Ouch jesus mrcheez that sounds horrific I hope it is at least less painful on a constant basis now? Has your movement been restricted? I am wincing here reading that you poor thing.

Sadly I know all about arthritis from another issue (it's in both knees, left hip and lower spine), but my upper half was the only non-bandy bit of me!

It is incredibly hard to rest it, I look longingly (pure green eyed envy!) out the bus window at cyclists heading by, or zooming by when I'm walking. It's especially hard at weekends, not going out for a good long spin. Physio said another 2 months today, I figured there must be some way to accelerate that?

I had no idea shoulder injuries took so long to heal. I didn't have this much of a recovery time when I got knocked off the bike by a car! I did pop the shoulder back in myself on the road though, and may have damaged things a bit more than they needed to be by doing that according to docs. But they say the shorter the time it is out of it's socket the better right? I just didn't think at the time, I just did it. It hurt like a bástard though, I had a little scream!

So there are no ways or techniques to a speedier/better recovery?

mamax

Rest and patience

I've done it and torn ligaments to shreds as well, it's not very nice
Speak to your physio about trying yoga, it's great to relax your body and mind and can keep tension away which will help you recover faster.

mrcheez

gadetra wrote: »

Ouch jesus mrcheez that sounds horrific I hope it is at least less painful on a constant basis now? Has your movement been restricted?

Well it's gradually gotten back to full movement (as long as I put up with the pain), but shoulder-blade has "winged" a bit and sticks out more than it used to (probably being pushed out by the underlying scar tissue).

As other poster mentioned take your time and try Pilates or Yoga as otherwise you *WILL* have ongoing problems and be kicking yourself 5 years down the road (I know I'm doing this now for a separate injury that I didn't bother getting treated years ago and has resulted in arthritis).

It's amazing how 5 seconds in an accident can affect you for life, but it's made me a more careful cyclist!

eeeee

Oh yoga I have never tried that. I have done pilates would that be similar? I suppose the strengthening aspects of both are good for it, the taking a position and weight and holding it to build up muscle? How soon did you yoga after the tearing?

I would just rather be Doing something for it than nothing. I ripped the bicep off at the time too. I went in for a swim straight after it happened like a fool thinking I would 'swim out the pain'. (Broke the glass shelf with my head in the shower after as well. Decided to take bike to LBS then home (he was fine after a little adjusting ). It was Disaster Monday!) Couldn't move the arm/shoulder the next day so it was doc then casualty for me. I did take my bike to the bike shop that eve though

mrcheez

hardcore dude hardcore

eeeee

mrcheez wrote: »

Well it's gradually gotten back to full movement (as long as I put up with the pain), but shoulder-blade has "winged" a bit and sticks out more than it used to (probably being pushed out by the underlying scar tissue).

As other poster mentioned take your time and try Pilates or Yoga as otherwise you *WILL* have ongoing problems and be kicking yourself 5 years down the road (I know I'm doing this now for a separate injury that I didn't bother getting treated years ago and has resulted in arthritis).

It's amazing how 5 seconds in an accident can affect you for life, but it's made me a more careful cyclist!

Yes you are right, time is the thing. It is just criminally hard not to be 'doing' something with it!

You gave yourself ETA the Bus gave you a right doing with the shoulder. Is there no way even with keyhole surgery to scrape off the scar tissue to give you full movement?

eeeee

mrcheez wrote: »

hardcore dude hardcore

Dudette

ETA I would describe my actions that day as more stupid than hardcore!

jimbobaloobob

Respect to your determination.

Id be with the other thinking that a bit of yoga might be no harm.

Raise the handlebars aswell to help.

Have a large glass of wine aswell

eeeee

jimbobaloobob wrote: »

Respect to your determination.

Id be with the other thinking that a bit of yoga might be no harm.

Raise the handlebars aswell to help.

Have a large glass of wine aswell

Oh never thought of raising the handlebars doh! Will give that a go. Was thinking of gel bar tape too? I currently have cotton tape on, it might help concussiveness?

So maybe yoga instead of pilates then? More gentle? Always found it a bit boring to be honest so never went with it any vaguely athletic activity is a plus at the minute!

Wine intake has been kept topped up on a regular basis :P

jimbobaloobob

probably wont make a huge difference to change the tape unless its well worn.

What ever you do make one change at a time so you can discover the solution.

I broke both collarbones and have them plated. It took time to get back to normal. Muscles elsewhere went into spasm but work on it slowly.

Dont force it. Follow the physios advice.

petethedrummer

Do the strengthening/stretching exercises and heat treatment as directed by your physio who will have a hands on knowledge of your injury. Endure the manipulation and massage they put you through. Most physios will try to heal you as quickly as possible. If you are unsure you are recovering properly get a second opinion from another physio.

I'd hazard a guess that Yoga is probably not a good idea. I wouldn't join a yoga class and put my shoulder joint in questionable positions by someone who doesn't know whats wrong with me. Then there's the whole debate as to whether Yoga is actually a healthy practice for your body ever... but anyway..... If it's relaxation you need go and lie down in a field.:pac:

You could buy a recumbent if you NEED to get out pedaling.

eeeee

Both collarbones Jimbobaloobob? Jesus could you do anything? Bar tape is pretty much gone so it might well make a difference. Anything is better than nothing!

petethedrummer, happily my physio does not manipulate me in a painful way, it's all strengthening exercises so far. I have never had physio manipulation-and I had 3 years of physio following major surgery! All exercises and testing strength building muscles etc. Although pressure points are fairly crap alright. Does that count as manipulation?

I might hang tight on the yoga until I see physio in 2 weeks.

Patience is a virtue I have never possessed!

I think heading off on a recumbent might be a death sentence for me the way things are going :eek:

petethedrummer

You shoulder joint is vulnerable because of it's large range of motion. I wouldn't go trying to induce more flexibility with random yoga poses. Your physio probably just wants to increase strength in a controlled manner with prescribed exercises. Any benefit that some random yoga pose MIGHT give will already be covered by the prescribed exercises. Doing them his hard though, as it is monumentally boring.

If you are training to race you could probably do some indoor/gym bike stuff. But if you are just training to be generally fit you could just forget the bike for a few months and go hill walking at the weekends instead.

eeeee

petethedrummer wrote: »

You shoulder joint is vulnerable because of it's large range of motion. I wouldn't go trying to induce more flexibility with random yoga poses. Your physio probably just wants to increase strength in a controlled manner with prescribed exercises. Any benefit that some random yoga pose MIGHT give will already be covered by the prescribed exercises. Doing them his hard though, as it is monumentally boring.

If you are training to race you could probably do some indoor/gym bike stuff. But if you are just training to be generally fit you could just forget the bike for a few months and go hill walking at the weekends instead.

Yeah the monumental boredom is chronic alright, for 3 weeks there I had to count to 10 3,652 times a day. Yes I counted just to keep it interesting!

I had wanted to race in the next year but there is plenty of time for that I suppose. I just love the training, the progression of it. Or the increasing hill ease rather. I also have a cheapo frame to build up so that'll keep me entertained. Learning curve!

My other sport is swimming and that's fúcked now too. I can't walk/run any distance cos my hips/pelvis, knees and back are damaged. It's just hard going from being so active to nothing overnight. But I'm just winging now I will stop-Better get my build on!

petethedrummer

Exercise is unhealthy.

eeeee

Ha ha! I have been doing it wrong all this time!

krissovo

Might be a bit extreme but I have some amputee buddies who have converted standard road bikes for one arm use. Dual pull brakes and a geared hub and they do ok, uphill is still a challenge but they pick suitable routes.

cdaly_

One thing to consider is working on core strength. Then make sure you keep your elbows bent when on the bike which should reduce pressure on your shoulder.


Or you could learn to cycle one-handed...

Captain Havoc

Closing thread on medical advice grounds.