Advice needed

[R_Squared]

Just thrown my shoulder out helping a mate sort out his TV, It's an old injury but never reported to the med centre. The shoulder does pop out every now and then if I twist it wrongly but I've never bothered reporting it because it usually pops straight back in again no bother and just feels a bit tender after.
But it's fcuking killing me now. If I rock up to the med centre tomorrow with it, and come clean, what's likely to be the outcome?
I don't want to be downgraded in any way as I have a Det due mid next year.
Any good advice?
Failing that anyone got any 'brufen and a tubigrip?

 

[vim_fuego]

Pick up something heavy at work tomorrow (or go through the motions of picking it up) then drop it shouting 'Owww my shoulder' then go sick...

I'm not joking by the way....DT_Xtremez_18:

 

[auchtermuchty]

get yourself down to A&E instead - med centre dont need to knowDT_Xtremez_42:

 

[the lovetoad]

Just have a drink!!!!
You can use the brufen tomorrow morning to cure the hangover!!

 

[penfold93]

get yourself down to A&E instead - med centre dont need to knowDT_Xtremez_42:

All well and good until they admit you. You need to get it sorted if the initial injury was work related then no probs Vims suggestion may be a viable option but it needs to get on your med docs soonest.

 

[R_Squared]

It actually happened during my basic, it popped out when I was doing that restricted swimming sh1te where they tied your legs together etc.
I mentioned it to a PTI but didn't bother with the med centre as it would have meant getting back flighted.
Since then it's popped out and in again twice, but I have no way of verifying the initial injury apart from my word (for what that's worth).
I've just put it in a sling for the moment and 'brufened myself up.

 

[wgaf]

Thing is mate shoulders can be very dodgy injuries. If you have genuinely 'popped' the socket then it needs sorting, you have no way of knowing if you've trapped nerves or tendons as the socket has come back together. The likelyhood of this happening is increased if the joint has a history of dislocation. If you've trapped nerves or tendons and they stay trapped for any length of time then it increases the chances of you needing an op. Resting it and puting it in a sling are not always the best course of treatment. Bite the bullet and go to see the quacks. Alternatively go and see the pti's (stop laughing) many of them (mainly rem. instructors who work with the physios) have studied/are studying sports injury management and will take you on as a case study for their course. They're not allowed to charge while they're undergoing training so you can get very good advice and help for free.

 

[True Blue Jack]

Mrs TBJ dislocated her shoulder falling off a horse 10 years ago. It took 5 years and 3 postings to get it sorted by which time the joint was so loose that it was acting exactly as you say yours is doing, i.e., popping itself back in as easily as it came out.

You need to get it sorted or you're just saving up bigger problems for the future.

 

[FOMz]

RoJaws, I've got a recurring neck/shoulder injury that flares up every so often. So I know where you're coming from. Don't leave it - get it sorted. Put it this way, you carry the injury andthe shoulder goes again but worse whilst on det....then some sap has to come and replace you at short notice........all because you didn't want to go to the Med center.

 

[auchtermuchty]

All well and good until they admit you. You need to get it sorted if the initial injury was work related then no probs Vims suggestion may be a viable option but it needs to get on your med docs soonest.

If it serious enough that I need admitting then the last thing I become worried about is the Med centre!

 

[wgaf]

Seriously, don't worry.

Go to the Med Centre and ask the Doc to refer you to a Physio (which they probably will anyway). They can check your joint out and give you strengthening exercises to do so you can manage the problem in future. I seriously doubt you'll be downgraded straight away - if at all.

Rammy, totally incorrect fella. Any major limb or joint injury, dislocation included, is an automatic downgrade, 9/10 it's temporary. It has to be, it will require further investigation, especially in the case of repeated dislocations which point to a weakening of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Shoulders in particular can need extensive recuperatory attention to get them back to anything like normal.

 

[R_Squared]

RoJaws, I've got a recurring neck/shoulder injury that flares up every so often. So I know where you're coming from. Don't leave it - get it sorted. Put it this way, you carry the injury andthe shoulder goes again but worse whilst on det....then some sap has to come and replace you at short notice........all because you didn't want to go to the Med center.

That has been playing on my mind TBH.
I'm going to try a 2 pronged approach, speak to the med centre about it and go see the PTI's, see if I can get some strengthening exercises.
I'm sure they'll want to see what a Doc has to say about it first but I really don't want to get downgraded and have someone else take my place over something I have lived with for quite a while now.

 

[penfold93]

Rammy, totally incorrect fella. Any major limb or joint injury, dislocation included, is an automatic downgrade, 9/10 it's temporary. It has to be, it will require further investigation, especially in the case of repeated dislocations which point to a weakening of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Shoulders in particular can need extensive recuperatory attention to get them back to anything like normal.

What he says plus having spent 4 years on orthopaedics it is vital that any shoulder injury recupperation program/physio is followed to the letter failure to adhere to it then its game over ( Look at the time its taken for Wilko to get back to fitness) it is vital to see a doc and to get a specialist appointment, if it comes out again and nerves and blood vessels are trapped then the consequences are a lot worse yep you will probably be down graded but better this than a career ended

 

[Rammy]

Rammy, totally incorrect fella. Any major limb or joint injury, dislocation included, is an automatic downgrade, 9/10 it's temporary. It has to be, it will require further investigation, especially in the case of repeated dislocations which point to a weakening of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Shoulders in particular can need extensive recuperatory attention to get them back to anything like normal.

Fine.....erm.... fella?.

At your Med Centre perhaps. It simply doesn't make sense to initiate
TMES action for every joint dislocation unless each dislocation is accompanied by structural damage usually necessitating in surgical intervention or at least 6/52 nwb. But as you and Nurse Penfold will appreciate, very rarely will you ever get a room full of Physicians to agree with one another. However, without wanting this to turn into a p1ssing contest, I'll conceed that my 27 years worth of experience in the RAF Medical Services might pale into insignificance to yours and Penfold's likely far greater knowledge.

Penfold had no need to delete my earlier post under the guise of misleading the OP (which was hardly worthwhile as you've kindly preserved it by quoting me anyway). Afterall, my advice was based around the OP reporting to his Medical Officer - who of course, would be best placed to initiate any course of action he/she sees fit.

In any event - we all just want what's best for the OP.

 

[penfold93]

I my experience shoulders are very difficult injuries to 'manage' as Rammy states. Shoulders need to sorted not 'managed' and whilst I do not cast any doubt over your medical experience, but I feel in this instance, if it is a recurring dislocation it needs to be addressed at a much higher level than physio and as you will know a lot of physicians dont take kindly to being told how to do their job.

 

[rugby then work]

I've read this with interest as I had a recurring shoulder dislocation, due to a rugby injury. I went to the doc with it on several occasions and was referred to physio and to the RI's as having surgery only carried a 70% chance that I would be able to play rugby again. I left it for around 6 years before finally having surgery to repair the damage (Bankhart repair) and that made the job all the harder for my surgeon, 4 operations and 4 trips to rehab later I still only have around 50% of my movement back. My advice is go and get this sorted now, hopefully the Physio/RI at your unit will be able to sort you out but you really need to let the doc/orthopaedic consultant have a look to ensure you haven't cause any major damage.

 

[Rammy]

I my experience shoulders are very difficult injuries to 'manage' as Rammy states. Shoulders need to sorted not 'managed' and whilst I do not cast any doubt over your medical experience, but I feel in this instance, if it is a recurring dislocation it needs to be addressed at a much higher level than physio and as you will know a lot of physicians dont take kindly to being told how to do their job.

In my extensive experience of working in support of and in an advisory capacity to Physicians; many of them need to be told how to do their jobsDT_Xtremez_15:

 

[penfold93]

In my extensive experience of working in support of and in an advisory capacity to Physicians; many of them need to be told how to do their jobsDT_Xtremez_15:

Aint that the truth

 

[chumpzilla]

Mate, had the same injury many times repeated! Sounds similar to a rotary cuff injury! Did mine in basics while doing shuttle runs on wet grass! (go figure!) Went to see some froggy doctor, he muttered something about surrendering and told me if it happens for the 8th time to come back. Washed my hands of the garlic munching Nazi collaberator 0 ) and just tried gentle exercise using weights and swimming errrr gently!

Hope that is of some help!