You have GOT to be kidding me....

[Tonto 1]

Hi SD,

The rotator cuff helps the shoulder manage rotation. Generally issues are wear related, (Microtrauma) usually starting at around 35 for women, and 40 for men who have not been prone to shoulder injuries in their youth. Previous dislocations, tears, ligament damage etc may bring this forward by several years.

Non operative treatment usually includes steroid injections and physio to help develop supporting muscle structure. Surgery is usually indicated if there is no positive response after 6 weeks of physio.

The subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles are collectively referred to as the rotator cuff. Together with the deltoid, they place the arm in the overhead position. Bear in mind that you're always prone to dislocation, regardless of prior injury, whenever the hand is above the shoulder, thumb facing in towards the head. (as any good martial artist will confirm..)

On the positive side, this condition has existed for a while now. You should have an idea of how hard you can push, and when it's time to take a break.

In the event of an in air dislocation of your right arm - pull the reserve with your left hand without attempting to deploy the main due to the risks involved with possibly losing stability, alti awareness, etc. If you're unable to use the right arm for steering input, fly an aproach using your left hand only. You may be able to bring the right arm in to help with the flare.

Practice left hand only reserve drills, and practice flying an aproach and flare (up high) using both toggles in your left hand only. (Pull right to go left, left to go right, and down to flare. Speak to an old CReW dog about how they steer a side by side without death straps. Same way.
REMEMBER to pick both toggles up from the front of the risers, or you will not be able to complete the flare.

Injury prevention boils down to pre season conditioning. I think you've had a busy year, and have piled in the dives. I'm not sure what your athletic background was prior to skydiving, but doing 300 plus dives in your 1st year is serious hard work, especially with the weight of student gear, and gear while on the downsize path.

Hope you manage some good dives at the boogie. Rotator cuff injuries don't go away. You'll need physio, and probably surgery, but surgery solves the problem really well, with about a 92% patient satisfaction rate. (Leaves some cool scars, too!)

Blue Skies,

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[yardhippie 0]

you MUST be careful! I had what is called a "capsule repair" (basically they burn all the ligaments and such to tighten the joint back up) It took a year to get back to normal and I was grounded for 4 months! Mind you a rotator cuff is not as bad as what I had, but.... you tear it and it dislocates!
I had a nurse that said shoulder surgery was worse than knee surgery, but I aint had that. Worst than my ankle scope tho!
Good luck!

Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD
"What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me
"Anything you want." ~ female skydiver
Mohoso Rodriguez #865

[vonSanta 0]

Generally, docs tend to be a little conservative, "just in case" sort of thing. However, they also tend to be right.

After all, they evaluate people and injuries for a living and know about the mechanics of shoulders, ligaments etc. I'd take the docs advice, then go to another one and see what he/she says. If they're close to saying the same thing, I'd ground myself. I'd rather have 1000 jumps over a ten year period than 100 in a week followed by no jumping due to a busted shoulder.

I gather you should just listen to your body and when it says "ouchie, stop that, crazy woman!", do what it says

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[Luv2Fall 0]

Rotator Cup injuries suck big time. My left shoulder's rotator cup is torn completely through.........but, as Skymama mentioned, the "stretchy band thing" works wonders for strengthening the surrounding areas. A couple of shots does wonders for the pain as well. I can now, inspite of not taking my surgeon's advise for surgery, do a hell of a lot with that shoulder to include supporting my weight.

My right shoulder is a different story, the shots and exercise has helped tremendously and I can use it more than I use to be able to use it, but I will see my surgeon next month for it.....it's my pull arm afterall......and it is not doing as well as my left. I have had 74 jumps with my shoulders this way with no additional complications. I firmly believe PT has made this possible.

I sure mileage varies among different individuals.

[jmpnkramer 0]

JUST SAY NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it from someone who has seen many injuries and people who have not taken care of them.

I waited and look at me. Now I can jump.

Rehabilitation works. You body needs time to heal.

Take Care,

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[WrongWay 0]

Big ((((((((((((((((((((((((VIBES)))))))))))))))))))))))) to ya girlie!! Hit me up at eloy, we'll make some fun, stress-free headdown jumps together.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[Luv2Fall 0]

How long were you out?

[skybeergodd 0]

Hey Sunny....You couldn't be going to a better DZ to jump at if your having joint issues..... After a good day of jumping or when the pain gets to be too much just go see Kitty(tell her Kelly sent you) and she will fix you right up. She's a massage therapist and a DAMN GREAT one. She was at SDC for nationals a couple years ago and I had just had elbow surgury(actually cut my cast off so I could complete..right sided too) and she actually too time out to seek me out after every couple rounds to put things back in place and get it moving again. She was just awsome and it also didn't hurt thats she a hottie too....but if she still has a set-up there that would be my suggestion.

[flyangel2 2]

Quote

If they try to give you a steroid or cortizone shot.. DON'T LET THEM! That

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that. I've done the PT thing and cortizone shots and it worked out great for me. Kept me off the surgery table.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[sunnydee123 0]

MERRY CHRISTMAS (or HAPPY HOLIDAYS...whatever fits).

It is Christmas morning and I just signed on before leaving for the airport and saw how much attention my post got. Much thanks for all the love, support and suggestions with the shoulder. Luckily I still have much of my strength and was NOT warned of a possible dislocation, was just told to stay aware of any pain. I know when the "ouchie" it too much to deal with and have no problem sitting out a few. Lots of time to visit and play - I love this sport too much, I won't be stupid for the sake of jump numbers.

Thanks again and I will see some of you soon - ready to jump and test the limits!

Dreams become reality, one choice at a time...

[jmpnkramer 0]

In my opinion if you make one jump you are not thinking of your future.

I sent you a PM so you know my feelings.

If you have never had a major injury believe me it is not any fun at all.

I had three surgeries in 18 Months time and a total of 20 Hours on the operating table. I waited a year after my last surgery before I started jumping full time. Lots of rehab and gym time but I am now able to jump regularly.

Skydiving will always be here and we would like to see you in the sky at a later time for as long as you wish then for this to be the last because of an injury. Take the time your body needs.

Take Care, Be Safe, and Enjoy the Trip.

Laters,

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[brits17 0]

When I gave ya'll a ride from the airport to AOT I wasn't jumping coming off shoulder surgery. If I told you already forgive me, but it had come out of socket backwards (rare scenario) grand total of bout 6 times in freefall, and once under canopy at 1500 feet. I got it back in at 1K in enough time to carve and land. Scary. That was my last jump before I decided its definately not worth the risk. It was the right arm. In fact, Levins got video of us and we're docked headdown, I go into a linked transition into a sit and you can see my arm just dislocate during the transition (its a very disgusting sight).

Moral of story, don't BS with it, seriously. Its not worth the risk. Get it fixed or stronger to the point where you're not going to be paranoid about it in the air yo. Best wishes

_______________________
aerialkinetics.com

[bobsled92 0]

Quote

Quote

If they try to give you a steroid or cortizone shot.. DON'T LET THEM! That

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that. I've done the PT thing and cortizone shots and it worked out great for me. Kept me off the surgery table.

Cortizone does get rid of the pain. Here a pic of how well it helped me. It also enabled me to tear more ligiments before feeling the pain and losing most of the use of my right arm but, hey! ...I didn't feel it so, "all right & let'er rip"
I'll send pics of the inside later

_______________________________
If I could be a Super Hero,
I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year.
http://www.hangout.no/speednews/

[flyangel2 2]

Maybe that's why the cortizone worked for me, cause I knew that it took away the pain, and I didn't do anything till the shoulder had time to heal while getting PT.
I've had enough surgeries in my life, that I didn't want to go under the knife again, that's why I went with the cortizone and PT. I'd like to give other options a chance before racing to the operating table. Cortizone isn't a quick heal, used correctly for me, it worked.
Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey