Full Shoulder Dislocation Recovery at OrthoRehab Specialists

What Situation or Injury Led You to ORSI?

I experienced a full shoulder dislocation that resulted in chronic subluxation and persistent pain. After I slipped on ice and fell heavily on my right arm, the head of my humerus popped out of its socket. In the initial days following the injury, my shoulder was immobile and I lived in constant fear of another dislocation. Even simple activities such as reaching for a book on a shelf, lifting groceries, or fastening my seat belt caused sharp pain. Over time, the repeated instability led to stretching and weakening of the shoulder ligaments. When an MRI confirmed damage to the labrum and rotator cuff tendons, I knew I needed expert intervention to restore function and prevent further harm.

How Would You Categorize Your Story?

My journey is one of recovery, resilience, and empowerment. With the guidance of Terry Buisman and the OrthoRehab team, I progressed from a limited range of motion to full functional ability. Their evidence based approach, hands on manual therapy, and personalized exercise program transformed what felt like an insurmountable obstacle into a structured pathway toward healing.

Comprehensive Initial Evaluation

During my first appointment, I received a thorough evaluation that focused on the following components:

• Medical History: Detailed discussion about how the dislocation occurred, any prior injuries, surgeries, and overall health status including sleep patterns and activity levels.
• Physical Examination: Assessment of active and passive range of motion, strength testing of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles, and special tests to evaluate labral integrity and joint stability.
• Imaging Review: Careful review of my MRI and X-ray images to confirm the location and severity of labral tears, tendon strains, and any bony abnormalities such as Hill Sachs lesions or Bankart lesions.
• Functional Movement Screens: Analysis of how my shoulder moved during day to day activities, including tasks like reaching overhead, lifting objects, and pushing or pulling motions.
• Goal Setting: Together we established clear short term targets such as achieving pain free range of motion and improving strength, and long term objectives such as returning to cross country skiing and weight training.

Anatomy of the Shoulder and Common Injuries

The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the human body, comprising the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. Stability is provided by the rotator cuff muscles, labrum, glenoid joint capsule, and surrounding ligaments. Common injuries include:

• Dislocations: Occur when the humeral head comes out of the glenoid cavity.
• Labral Tears: Damage to the cartilage rim that deepens the socket, often called Bankart or SLAP tears.
• Rotator Cuff Tears: Strains or full thickness tears of the tendons that control shoulder rotation.
• Impingement Syndrome: Compression of soft tissues between the humerus and acromion, leading to inflammation and pain.
• Instability: A loose or hypermobile joint that is prone to partial dislocations or subluxations.

Understanding the intricate balance of mobility and stability in the shoulder helps explain why proper rehabilitation is essential to prevent chronic issues and re-injury.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on the initial evaluation, Terry designed a customized treatment plan that evolved as I improved. Key components included:

1. Manual Therapy: Gentle joint mobilizations to restore glide and reduce pain, as well as soft tissue techniques to release tight muscles around the shoulder blade and upper back.
2. Therapeutic Exercises: A progressive strengthening program that began with isometric holds and advanced to resistance band and free weight exercises targeting the rotator cuff, deltoid, and scapular stabilizers.
3. Neuromuscular Re-Education: Balance drills on unstable surfaces and proprioceptive tasks such as catching and throwing in controlled positions to retrain joint awareness and dynamic stability.
4. Functional Integration: Practice of sport specific movements like simulated skiing, overhead reaches, and controlled plyometric drills to prepare my shoulder for real life demands.

Detailed Exercise Progression

My home exercise program under the Home Exercise Program included:

• Week 1 to 2: Pendulum exercises, passive assisted range of motion, and simple isometric shoulder external rotation and abduction holds.
• Week 3 to 4: Active range of motion stretches for forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation combined with light Theraband rows and wall push ups.
• Week 5 to 8: Progressive resistance training using Therabands and light dumbbells for external and internal rotation, scaption raises, and scapular retraction drills.
• Week 9 to 12: Introduction of moderate load exercises such as side lying ER, prone T’s and Y’s on a therapy table, shoulder press with light weights, and advanced stability tasks on a wobble board.
• Month 4 onward: Return to sport specific drills, overhead pressing, plyometric exercises like medicine ball throws, and gradual reintroduction of heavy lifting under supervision.

Progress Monitoring and Milestones

At each follow up visit, progress was tracked using:

• Goniometer measurements of joint angles.
• Handheld dynamometer readings for muscle strength.
• Functional movement screens such as single arm plank hold and stability test on an exercise ball.
• Patient reported outcome measures like the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).

Reaching each milestone—pain free range of motion, doubling resistance bands tension, symmetrical strength compared to the uninjured side—provided motivation and clear evidence of improvement.

Patient Education and Self Management

A cornerstone of my recovery was education on shoulder health:

• Posture Training: How to sit and stand to reduce impingement risk.
• Ergonomic Adjustments: Recommendations for workstation setup to avoid overhead reaching and maintain neutral shoulder position.
• Warm Up and Cool Down: Importance of dynamic stretching before activities and gentle mobility work after exercise.
• Early Warning Signs: How to recognize fatigue or overuse and modify activities accordingly.

Why Choose OrthoRehab Specialists?

OrthoRehab offers:

• Therapist Owned Clinics: Clinical decisions driven by patient outcomes rather than corporate metrics.
• Evidence Based Practice: Interventions aligned with the latest guidelines from the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Direct Access: Schedule your initial evaluation without needing a physician referral under Minnesota law.
• Collaborative Care: Ongoing communication with your surgeon, primary care provider, and any other specialists via our collaboration portal.

Insurance and Payment Options

We participate with most major insurance carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Medica, UCare, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. Visit our Insurance & Payment Options page for a full list of accepted plans. If you prefer self pay, we offer transparent cash rates and flexible payment plans. Our billing team is available at 612-339-2041 to assist with benefit verification and answer any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No. Thanks to Minnesota’s direct access law you can receive up to 90 days of care without a referral. Learn more on our Direct Access FAQ page.

How long will therapy take?

Recovery time varies by individual and injury severity. Many patients see significant improvement within 8 to 12 weeks and return to sport by four to six months.

Will therapy be painful?

Therapists tailor exercises to your comfort level. Some mild discomfort from stretching or muscle activation is normal, but intense pain should be reported immediately.

Next Steps

If you are ready to restore shoulder function and eliminate pain, schedule your evaluation today. Visit our Contact Us page or call 612-339-2041. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and return to the activities you love.