Hi Drs, I’m wondering what the rest time after a shoulder dislocation should be. I anteriorly dislocated my humerus while doing skullcrushers, and it popped right back in on it’s own. I still went to urgent care after and they performed an x-ray (normal), but told me I need to have the arm completely immobilized in a sling for 3 weeks. This seemed to go against what I have learned from you guys about injuries (though I haven’t heard your opinion specifically for dislocations) so I wanted to ask your advice.
Is this the first time you’ve dislocated your shoulder? Have you been referred to any orthopedics or rehabilitation specialists?
It typically depends on your tolerance to range of motion, isometrics and having your arm at your side. I’ve had people doing passive and/or active-assisted range of motion and isometrics with the first week or so, as well as getting out of the sling when in controlled environments (aka home or at the office). In these cases, I usually refer back to the MD’s original orders while using the in-therapy sessions to explore what feels good and giving that as examples of exercise/activity that can be done at home. So long story, short, you can definitely be doing “something” in the beginning to promote restoration of ROM and strength, but wearing a sling is not exclusive of this.