From: ab0b@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (ALLISON QUENSEN BLATT)
Newsgroups: misc.fitness
Subject: Re: Help with shoulder
Date: 27 Jan 93 21:09:10 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

In article <wkulecz-220193121621@nl-wkulecz.jsc.nasa.gov>, wkulecz@life.jsc.nasa
.gov (Walter B. Kulecz, Ph.D) writes:
>In article <C16A4C.7wD@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, jl52800@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (The
>Incredible Mr.Wong) wrote:
>>
>> I dislocated my shoulder a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if there were
>> any excercises I could do to rehab it. Also, is there anything I can do to
>> prevent it from happening again so easily? (This was the 4th time I've disloc
ated the damn thing.
>
>I dislocated my sholder about 13 years ago (two inch gap between ball and
>socket visible on Xray) and have had no problems since then.  Except it
>ended my rugby playing and was two years until I could throw overhand
>without pain.  My ortho said if I could go two or three years without
>re-dislocation I would probably have no problems.  He seems to have been
>correct in my case, but I changed my activities.
>
>Since this is your fourth dislocation, your prognosis is poor, you've
>stretched the connective tissues that hold the ball in the socket to the
>point they will probably never shrink enough to prevent it from happening
>again.  If you're young enough you may be able to recover.  Seek
>professional advice.
>
>I've a friend whose shoulder was so loose he could pop it in and out at
>will and would pop it out by throwing a baseball.  It is claimed that
>Houdini could do this with both shoulders and was the basis of his escape
>from a straight jacket tricks.
>

I was hoping to hear more constructive advice on this subject, since I have a
"chronic dislocation" myself.  My left shoulder is extremely loose, and has
been as long as I can remember.  My doctor said this sort of thing often
happens when you're a little kid and you fall onto your outstretched hand,
thus stretching those connective tissues past the point of no return.

I can pop my shoulder at will, and have dislocated it easily by carelessly
exiting the lat pulldown machine, batting (righty), and (the last time)
pulling a heavy sweater off over my head.

First piece of advice:  DON'T pop your shoulder at will to gross people out.
I did that for years before I started various sports.  It is dumb.

Most of the time my shoulder is fine, because I've learned how to treat it,
but once I yank it out accidentally, it takes a few weeks to get it back in
shape.  I have to be careful how I stretch, and even in what position I sleep.

What you want to do, according to my doctor and physical therapist, is
exercises to strengthen your rotator cuff muscles.  Since you can't rehab
tendons and ligaments, the best you can do is work on the muscles that
stabilize the joint.  There are any number of isometrics, as well as stuff
done with light dumbbells, that you can do.  Ask a p.t. or athletic trainer.

In my experience, I have to be VERY CAREFUL with form, position, and weight in
these exercises if I want to keep my shoulder happy:  upright row (ouch), lat
pulldown, flye/crossover, overhead triceps press (with dumbbell hanging behind
head), and seated row (a little bit).  I don't even try to use the pullover
machine.

I hope you're feeling better.
-- 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                        Allison Quensen Blatt
                                           Theatre    204 Chandler   758-3635

                              "She wasn't good, but she had good intentions."