Dislocating Shoulders Everywhere

[christoofar 0]

I've noticed lately, including with myself... that dislocations of the shoulders (or worse, the elbow) are very widespread with this sport. I had my right shoulder pulled out of its socket last Nov. 3rd from a bad RW (2-way with my partner holding onto me like a gorilla instead of relaxing).
Couple months ago I showed up to the DZ on a Friday to make a lunch jump before going back to work and was met at manifest with a foreign jumper with a forward dislocation clutching his shoulder and wanting to go to the hospital. I reduced his shoulder for him. He said it slipped out when throwing his arms out to do a front flip.
My dislocation seems to be healing up some... I can't do RW anymore b/c I can't accept the risk of losing control over my left hand and having no use of either arm in case it happens again.
Since last November, I had my shoulder slip out in the plane once already (I was leaning out of the door looking for a spot). Orthopedic surgeon is recommending reconfiguring my muscles (detach from shoulder blade and wrap them over my shoulder and reattached to my clavicles... anyone hear of this procedure?) or to replace my entire shoulder; but that will limit my range of motion and take me out of skydiving probably permanently... unless I alter my rig so I can deploy with the left hand. This sucks!
-C
In God We Trust. All others pay cash.

[jncoughlin 0]

I'm currently at Level 5 AFF and I've been worried about this injury. My left shoulder has disclocated several times over the years as a result of a skiing accident many years ago. It's been good for the last 8 or more years but once a shoulder dislocates it's probability of recurrence is substantially higher.
Since Level 6 and & involve flips, am I asking for trouble ? Also, how do you steer and flare with one arm not working ?
All advice is much appreciated.

[weid14 0]

that is something you definately need to sit and talk with your jump masters about, if nothing else, but to inform them of the issue. You'll get the advice you need, plus they can put you in a harness and teach you what you need to do.

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

unless I alter my rig so I can deploy with the left hand.

This can be done, quite easily in fact.
There's a guy at my DZ who's had at least one of his rigs altered this way because of the situation you describe.
Good luck,
Jim

[Staso 0]

go to gym. stronger muscules mean stronger joints. that should decrease the chances of the shoulder popping up.
stan.
--
if everything's under control, you are not going fast enough ...

[Snowflake 0]

Since I was in the same situation minus the skydiving. I'll give you my perspective first I would suggest the gym start with real light barbell shoulder exercises 3-4 days a week. I suggest this because I really didn't like the awnser to the question what happens if I throw my shoulder out after the surgery. Neither of my shoulders has come out in 8 years although they do occasionaly pop or creak. Now of course no two people are the same and I don't know your medical history but I would definitly look at physical rehab first maybe take a month or two of from skydiving while you do it if that doesn't work then look at surgical options. Other then that I go over procedures just in case a shoulder decides to pop out. As long as both don't come out I'm fairly confident I could land with one arm if I couldn't reduce it in freefall or under canopy. Good luck
"....and then the canopy opens and you float down to the ground like a multicolored snowflake"
JG
Rat# 27

[Snowflake 0]

just be aware of your arms in flips you don't need to throw them to hard. My shoulders were so bad they would come out in my sleep and I've had no problems skydiving so far. As far as steering with one arm my plan is to get one toggle in my mouth and the other in my freehand that way I can fly at half brakes and flat turn then once I was lined up I would get both toggles in my good hand for a flare. It's the best I've come up with
"....and then the canopy opens and you float down to the ground like a multicolored snowflake"
JG
Rat# 27

[christoofar 0]

I guess if both shoulders go and the Cypress fires I could steer with shifting my feet. Better run fast on that landing.
What you doin snowflake? Haven't seen ya in a while! hehehe =D
In God We Trust. All others pay cash.

[jncoughlin 0]

Thanks Snoflake; That's encouraging as I ususally have to do something violent to pop my shoulder. I can ususally reduce it but it takes a few minutes and I'm not sure I could do it while hanging in harness. At least it's my left so I can deploy easily if a problem occurs.
As for the gym, I have been lifting most of the winter anticipating that it would help in skydiving. With 1 tandem and 5 real jumps (I'm through level 5 AFF) there's been no problem whatsoever. If your shoulder poped in your sleep then I think I'm safe.
As for landing, my plan, assuming it popped in freefall, would be to release only the right brake, leaving the left toggle (my popped shoulder side) stowed. That way I could fly in half brakes and do flat turns by only using the right toggle. As for landing, hope for a stiff breeze, approach in half brakes and PLF.

[rgoper 0]

harness steer as best you can with brakes stowed? this very event occured at my HDZ not long ago. a low timer up on an 8 way, at track time another jumper tracked into his right shoulder and completely disslocated it, he had the presence of mind to deploy his reserve, left the brakes stowed and harness steered into the wind, and had a relatively (considering the circumstances) easy landing. unstowing one brake and being in a slow spiral probably won't help you much when you plan your final with one arm. this is in disscussion mode, NOT instructional mode, so please bear this in mind. always seek the advice of a learned colleague for such events/scenarios.
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"

[billvon 2,380]

>harness steer as best you can with brakes stowed?
We had a jumper back in NY who dislocated his left shoulder in freefall. He released both brakes and put them both in his right hand. Moving his hand right made the canopy turn left and vice versa; pulling his hand down flared. It worked for him. (Fortunately it was not his right shoulder, so he could still deploy.)
-bill von

[schuair 0]

In 1983 just before college graduation, my right shoulder was destroyed in an accident involving, beer, ex-girlfriends and an intoxicated roommate. I got flipped and landed on an operating table. After a long healing process the shoulder is more mobile, just as strong and limits me from nothing. I white water kayak, backpack ect. I did elect the surgery, good thing cause the shoulder joint was totally blown out. Best of luck.

[christoofar 0]

When this happened to me in San Marcos last year... I unstowed both with my left and flew the Raven down. I did realize what was wrong and pulled silver up high @ 5K. No AAD. I did practice flares with one hand, careful to take up slack and wrap it around my fist and make sure the horizon was level as I flared.
I stood up the landing and didn't have to PLF, but it was still a pretty good shake up, considering it was my right shoulder that was pulled out of its socket in freefall. I plan to go to Rantoul but I'll definately be doing solos until it is healed up and I get some muscle mass on it or I change my BOC.
I still cringe at the thought of having to reach back there with my right in case of a total mal. At least it keeps me extra aware on pack jobs, especially with Racers. I make extra sure that bridle is not gonna snag on anything and the PC is in good condition on every jump, no matter the rig.
In God We Trust. All others pay cash.

[Emmie 0]

I have the same problem dude. I dislocated my shoulder completely a couple of years ago, and now it keeps popping out. It actualy happed twice while skydiving on a real funky 182 exit, I managed to reach the handle, but could barely control the canopy or flare. I found that its a common problem amongst skydivers. DO some muscle strengthening excersizes to make your muscles more resistant to dislocation. I'll probably try to get surgery at the end of this season, because this shoulder thing is a major pain in the ass.

[riggerrob 558]

Three points: definitely ask a physio therapist to show you a few exercises to strengthen your shoulder muscles.
Secondly, I met a guy at the Z-Hills, 1980 Easter boogie who had a withered arm. When it came time to flare, he grabbed both toggles with his strong arm. He stood up hundreds of landings that way.
Finally, if the problem persists, I have built a few left-handed BOCs for guys with shoulder problems.

[ltdiver 3]

Hey shoulder-dislocating sufferers, what riggerrob said...ask your local phsical therapist how to strengthen that shoulder and minimize the potential for future dislocations.
What some of you have written is true, however, and if your shoulder needs surgery, then get it! I know that it'd suck big time if -my- shoulder did that. I have enough problems with no depth perseption due to having vision out of only one eye.
If -any- of you are ever in the Perris area, look me up and I'll discuss it with you and show you some good exercises to do for your ailing joint.
Jack Gramley, DZO manager, and one heck of a great guy, had right shoulder surgery as well, and could enlighten you from a patient's perspective.
As all of you know, most shoulders dislocate in an anterior (forward) way. To put it in englsh, when you reach back for your BOC...that is the exact position that pops your shoulder out! Nasty!
Anyway, the invitation's open. Welcome to Perris and the $14.50 skydives all summer long! Blues,
ltdiver
physical therapist
____________________________________________
LightDiverCam

[GAskygirl 31]

I dislocated my right shoulder twice two seasons ago. Got the surgery last season and have been jumping since about 3 months post-surgery. For the first six months jumping I used a home-grown brace (more of a strappy motion-limiter than a rigid brace), then tried my luck in the tunnel. Four months later, so far so good. *knocks on wooden desk*

The main things for me have been to do just what the therapist said and work out constantly. Skipping a day here and a day there is fine, but don't skimp on the shoulder strength. Take videos to your therapist so he/she can see exactly what you need to do--on-level video is great for this. Also, I got back into jumping being *very* careful about what I did (no big ways with lots of tension, etc.).

Also, I had both rigs converted to a left-hand main pull. There is very little adjustment; same thing, other side. Don't let the fact that it's a change scare you, it works the same. And if you reach back with your right hand a couple of times, hopefully you're not so insanely low that the half-second it takes you to switch hands is the difference between life and splat. I've had no problems with my newfound leftyness.

Best of luck!

Blue Skies!
-=Christy=-
D-21464

[caseyusa 0]

Quote

go to gym. stronger muscules mean stronger joints. that should decrease the chances of the shoulder popping up.

EXACTLY.

I have a friend who's had dislocation problems before he even jumped. He infact had a surgery similar to what you described. Maybe he's an individual case, but even after the surgery.. he dislocated it on his AFF1. And it happens every now and then at parties.

I personally would want to strengthen it at the gym (at your own pace and speed
Ask a trainer at the gym, or a rehab specialist (my World gym has a trainer/rehab center attached to the facility- or a local hospital can suggest one ).

They can help you strengthen your shoulders to work on preventing this in the future, and its from these folks that I would trust a recommendation for any form of surgery. One or two recommends and references from these pro's in the injury field will point you in the right direction.

Whatever gets you back up there (and pulling!)!!

---
** Blue Skies, Yellow Mustard. **
It's like a farmer, out-standing in his field.