More than a week ago i hit a chop while doing a bottom turn and crashed hard to the boom with extended back hand, dislocated my shoulder, arm stuck facing sky awkwardly, pulled slightly with other hand and it popped back in after about 10 seconds after the crash.
Got the results from dr today, raptured socket and torn ligament, probably needs surgery.
Anyone with similar experience, how does the recovery stages go?
Sorry to hear about this - it's a lousy injury and an arduous rehab. I've had pelvis, knee, hand and hernia repairs also and the shoulder was by far the most delicate to deal with (pelvis was way more painful but pretty straightforward). I had my left shoulder rebuilt in 2006 by the guy who works with the New England Football team and the Boston Red Sox, so a very experienced doc.
They left the torn labrum alone but repaired bicep/subscapularis/supraspinatus tendons. My best advice is DON'T RUSH BACK! Your doctor will give you specific advice depending on your particular procedure but for me it was six months before I could do anything athletic with that arm at all and I think I really should have taken another month if I wanted full recovery. The most difficult period is when you've got out of the sling at last and feel like you should be rebuilding muscle mass. Don't. You need to rebuild the little tiny stuff inside before you can start with anything like serious weight, even if you can tolerate the pain.
The good news is that it's a pretty durable repair. 17 years later that joint is no worse than the uninjured right side, and actually has less arthritis.
I've had two stabilisation surgeries on one shoulder and one on the other, all for recurrent dislocations. Each was a different technique- Putti-Platt on left, 30 years ago, which never trustworthy afterwards, Bankart repair on right 16 years ago, which feels secure, and finally Latarjet on left about 7 years ago, which feels OK but a bit clunky from time to time). If the shoulder is ridiculously unstable, like dislocating lying in bed by putting your arm behind your head (not fun) or when reaching in to clean a shelf (also not fun, but was able to self-reduce it) then surgery will probably be indicated.
At least 6 months of rehab each time. The exercises are pretty straightforward. I hate doing repetitive flexibility and strength exercises, but I hate not windsurfing more, so the motivation to get back on the water is pretty strong. I supplemented some boring exercises with things I enjoyed a bit more, like resistance movements in a swimming pool.
First time back on the water is nerve-racking, but also a big relief. Last time the surgeon casually said I'd get arthritis in a few years- he was right. Nothing occasional anti-inflammatories don't help. I just think of it as a body well used.
Good luck.
