Has anyone actually dislocated their shoulder while swimming? I swam all through high school, took 6 years off tried bodybuilding then went to powerlifting. After several disk injuries, I decided to quit, and get back into swimming to save my aching body/joints. After about 6 weeks of training I competed in my first Masters meet. The first two events were awesome 50m back then 50m fly. I actually broke the state records in both. The third event 100m I.M. While sweeping outward in the butterfly, my shoulder came completely out of the socket for a split second, then popped back in. I could actually hear things popping and tearing. It has been 6 weeks, and it still hasn't completely healed. All I've been able to do is kick workouts without a kickboard.Does anyone else have a similar experience?
Fully dislocated my left shoulder 10 miles out in the middle of nowhere in Moab UT (1992). Was lucky enough to have a MD ride by on a Mt bike. He reset for me.
2 years later (1994), it happened a 2nd time, again on a mtn bike. Went to ER to have it put back in socket, but only after waiting 3 hours through paperwork, x-rays, morphine sulphate and muscle relaxant absorption.
For the following 8 year period, 1994 - 2002, the left shoulder had dislocated more times than I can remember (probably 8+ more times). It started getting worse and would occur doing daily activies like walking and sleeping! I learned how to reset it myself. Sometimes it would go back in nicely, sometimes it would tear it's way back into socket (my technique relax, grab something, pull, twist, and push the socket up with free hand). I furthermore conclude I have some big time damage. I also learned how to sleep differently, actually everything is performed in such a way to prevent it from happening. One time it happened at work (as a reservist working on the aircraft), I immediatly reset it then went to the clinic. They threatened to kick me out (I was hoping for repair) lol. About that time I started lifting weights to strengthen shoulder, and the episode prior was the final occurance - knocking on wood
Started swimming 2008, but very cautiously. Each left arm strokedone with knowledge that any wrong movement will pop it out. It is limiting, for example, the full streamline position will dislocate it, and that I don't fully engage the left pull, however it has not dislocated in ten years. I contribute this success too weight lifting, for the most part, and to a lesser degree, swimming which can actually help rotator cuff stability if done correct.
After starting swimming and since I taught myself the form, I developed a few severe incorrect stroke flaws mostly related to protecting the shoulder. Eventually my other shoulder started to ache from overuse/bad form and has damage, but proper form has positively addressed this.
Someday I will have surgery, but now isn't the time for me.
Avoid ANYTHING that makes it pop around like you describe. it sounds like it needs about a year of PT and healing before you even think about swimming.
My suggestion, see your Md, then see some others. Get medically informed and updated. Know your limits and re-evalute swimming expectations at each point. Weight lifting was my best cure and allowed me to hang in there without surgery for such a long time. It can also be crippling if done incorrect.
Fully dislocated my left shoulder 10 miles out in the middle of nowhere in Moab UT (1992). Was lucky enough to have a MD ride by on a Mt bike. He reset for me.
2 years later (1994), it happened a 2nd time, again on a mtn bike. Went to ER to have it put back in socket, but only after waiting 3 hours through paperwork, x-rays, morphine sulphate and muscle relaxant absorption.
For the following 8 year period, 1994 - 2002, the left shoulder had dislocated more times than I can remember (probably 8+ more times). It started getting worse and would occur doing daily activies like walking and sleeping! I learned how to reset it myself. Sometimes it would go back in nicely, sometimes it would tear it's way back into socket (my technique relax, grab something, pull, twist, and push the socket up with free hand). I furthermore conclude I have some big time damage. I also learned how to sleep differently, actually everything is performed in such a way to prevent it from happening. One time it happened at work (as a reservist working on the aircraft), I immediatly reset it then went to the clinic. They threatened to kick me out (I was hoping for repair) lol. About that time I started lifting weights to strengthen shoulder, and the episode prior was the final occurance - knocking on wood
Started swimming 2008, but very cautiously. Each left arm strokedone with knowledge that any wrong movement will pop it out. It is limiting, for example, the full streamline position will dislocate it, and that I don't fully engage the left pull, however it has not dislocated in ten years. I contribute this success too weight lifting, for the most part, and to a lesser degree, swimming which can actually help rotator cuff stability if done correct.
After starting swimming and since I taught myself the form, I developed a few severe incorrect stroke flaws mostly related to protecting the shoulder. Eventually my other shoulder started to ache from overuse/bad form and has damage, but proper form has positively addressed this.
Someday I will have surgery, but now isn't the time for me.
Avoid ANYTHING that makes it pop around like you describe. it sounds like it needs about a year of PT and healing before you even think about swimming.
My suggestion, see your Md, then see some others. Get medically informed and updated. Know your limits and re-evalute swimming expectations at each point. Weight lifting was my best cure and allowed me to hang in there without surgery for such a long time. It can also be crippling if done incorrect.
