Skydiving and shoulder dislocations

[anirudhrb 0]

Here's my story:

Seven months back I started my AFF course.

Level 1: Exit ok. Three practice touches. Pulled at 5500 ft. Two practice flares. But, when I was about to land flared a little too early, got scared and let go of the right hand side toggle a little bit more and landed on my right shoulder.

It didn't hurt and I could move my shoulder normally, so I thought everything was fine.

Level 2: Exit ok. Reached back for the first practice touch and dislocated the right shoulder. Tried again but couldn't reach. Tried to maintain as good an arch as possible. Lost altitude awareness. Instructor realized something was wrong and pulled for me (5500 ft). Still managed to fly the canopy and was able to land smoothly in a sitting position at half brakes (couldn't pull down further).

Went to the emergency room and they reduced the shoulder (under an anesthetic).

My question:
Will I be able to skydive again? Just want to know if anybody had a should dislocation and were able to go back to skydiving. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

[riggerrob 643]

Back in 2008, I dislocated my right shoulder during a plane crash.
My achromatic-clavicular ligament tore completely and I sprained the top end of my biceps. It healed slowly, but I gritted my teeth and worked at physio-therapy. I did my first solo jump 6 months after the accident, but it was 8 months before I could resume doing tandems. But it was a full year before my shoulder quit aching and limiting my movements. The shoulder has not dis-located since the initial accident.

Now, a decade later, my ACL has resumed aching and I have resumed physio-therapy.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Yes, you should be able to jump again*

Lots of people have had shoulder injuries, surgeries or just "issues" and have continued or resumed jumping.

I know one girl who has dislocated her shoulder often enough that she can reset it herself, in the air (really). When that happened, she knew she had to not do it again right away, so she sat down (last day of the boogie).

Do all your PT, wait until it's as healed as it's going to be, be careful.

This is not a new or unusual question, more specific answers can be found by searching out previous threads on the subject.

*Note: I am not a doctor. I didn't even sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. And even a "real" doctor wouldn't be willing to give a diagnosis over the internet with the info you provided.
So discuss this with your doc before doing anything.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[Chiquita 14]

Look into kinesio tape (kinesio tex, rock tape, kt tape, etc), it can help support your shoulder joint as it heals, and afterwards if needed.

I would first try to find a person that is truly trained in using the tape. As far as I know only Kinesio Tex and Rock Tape are the only two that offer classes to medical professionals.

There are several videos online on how to apply the tape, but make sure you follow all the directions, mainly no tension on either end of the tape. If it is not applied correctly it can hurt more and/or cause skin damage, that's why seeing a professional the first time is good.

"Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity"