r/ShoulderSurgery

I feel like I’m faced with a difficult decision. Three weeks ago I dislocated my shoulder from a fall and had it reduced at the hospital. It’s the first time it’s ever dislocated and not gone back in on its own, but I’ve had it either partially dislocated or have had subluxations that have always gone back in on their own Im just not sure how many over like 15 years. I am about to turn 26.

The MRI showed a bankart tear and a hill sachs lesion- my orthopedist said it was a pretty nasty dislocation and recommended I get anthroscopic bankart repair surgery and a remplissage but is okay with me starting physical therapy first for four weeks to see if that helps.

I’m struggling because currently I’m not in a lot of pain, my range of motion is basically back to normal other than the far end of certain motions. But I also think in the last 3 weeks I had two subluxations or small moments of instability. But otherwise I’ve been able to go on with normal activities without it feeling constantly unstable I’m just coming to learn that that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

So I’m unsure of what to do. Should I get the surgery? I’m afraid of dislocating it again and having even more damage. But I’m also not an athlete so I’m unsure of what to do.

Please give me advice!

I was told to wear the sling practically 24/7 except for bathing and PT.

How are people dealing with wearing their sling to bed?

I find it nearly impossible, and at some point in the evening I take it off and I sleep on my good side. This has been the worst part of the recovery for me.

Question if anyone can help please? Hi I had a subacromial decompression and ac joint excision two weeks ago. Have been recovering slowly with range of motion a touch better each day though still can’t get my arm overhead or anything like that and still much worse than pre surgery. The last two days my shoulder has been feeling stiffer and more locked in surrounding area. Is this normal? Obviously I’m worried about developing fs and trying to both do the pendulum/range or motion exercises they gave me daily and also not overdo it. I’m taking normal anti inflammatory and painkillers. Thanks

I had an ACJ separation 2.5 years ago. The doctor said no surgery needed. I stuck with the physical therapy program for a month. I had one kid before and now two kids in that time and busy with work so continued pt was difficult to maintain and just exhausted. Without doing much extreme activity it felt fine. Sometimes would wake up sore from sleeping on it or if I picked one of the kids up in a weird way.

Got back into the gym recently and I realized it’s definitely not 100% and is still very weak compared to my other arm and for certain exercises it still hurts. I have good range of motion though. I’m still young and want to be able to use it without catering to it. I’ve read some stories here that go back to activities that I would be scared to try with the way it feels (bjj, lifting heavy, etc.)

I guess wondering how yall knew if surgery was necessary, and what steps to take ahead of that…go back to pt exercises and rehabbing it? A combo with weights and pt? I know I should probably go see a specialist. Anyway looking for experience from anyone who didn’t have surgery, or did not have it right away and ended up getting it down the road. Thanks.

Edited: did it > didn’t **