Torn Rotor/Rotator Cups

[Luv2Fall 0]

Was reading the thread dealing with shoulder dislocations in the Incident Forum and was wondering if anyone here jumps with unrepaired rotor cups. If so, did your shoulder ever become dislocated either in freefall or parachute opening?

[ltdiver 3]

While I myself haven't suffered from a torn rotator cuff injury, I have treated several patients who have had this misfortune.

Yes, you are right in thinking that this -could- predispose a person to dislocation. The most common position for this is with the arm cranked behind the back...as in going back to deploy a BOC.

Rotator Cuffs...the most commonly injured shoulder musculature. Keep them in good repair. The sugery and therapy afterwards isn't pleasant.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Luv2Fall 0]

Thanks for your response. An MRI has revealed that my left shoulder's rotator cup has been completely torn and surgery was recommended a couple of years back. I had two steriod shots in that shoulder and pain wise it is still holding up very well. Obviously, I have knowingly been jumping like that without any problems - so far.

A new twist..........my right "deployment" shoulder has acted up worse than my left shoulder ever did.....two steriod shots within a month and the shoulder is still bothering me in a way the left did not although I do have "some" relief. Symptoms are quite the same in that I definately have an "impingment".

Now I'm extremely shy of jumping for my own safety.....had a beautiful day, yesterday, to jump but I did not as I was very shy of that shoulder and dislocations is now a real concern as this shoulder doesn't feel as "sturdy" as the left. Not quite sure what to do at the moment as I still want to skydive and at the same time I'm trying to avoid the "horrid" post surgery recovery time.

[wrightskyguy 1]

Quote

Was reading the thread dealing with shoulder dislocations in the Incident Forum and was wondering if anyone here jumps with unrepaired rotor cups. If so, did your shoulder ever become dislocated either in freefall or parachute opening?

I have a friend that has a bad rotator cuff on the right side. Twice she has had reserve rides due to her shoulder becoming dislocated. She is very athletic and both times managed to steer and flare with only one hand. She considered getting out of the sport but instead she waited until she was healed and then had her BOC moved to the left side. She is very cautious now and doesn't do exits that put undue strain on her right arm and hasn't had any trouble since.

John Wright

World's most beloved skydiver

[ltdiver 3]

Quote

I had two steriod shots in that shoulder and pain wise it is still holding up very well

Interesting note....something that is completely torn doesn't have the strain put on it anymore (no attachment point to pull on), so there is no pain. Just a weakened shoulder comparatively. Unless someone is an athlete that requires the shoulder be at full strength, sometimes they don't opt to do surgery at all.

As far as the right shoulder feeling some of the same symptoms...well...advise that you go to the physical therapist and see if they can help you out. If not....yeah sugery is your best bet if you don't want the supraspinatus to completely tear like the left one.

Sorry Luv...know this isn't the message you wanted to hear. Be safe, that's the first call. The skies will always be there. Be well.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[riggerrob 643]

Get the surgery done now, before the busy skydiving season arrives.
Oh and I have installed a couple of left-handed BOCs for people with permanent injuries to their right arms. One guy had a shoulder dislocation and the other guy left a few fingers in Viet Nam.

[Luv2Fall 0]

Thank you all for the advise......I have some things to think about. Went ahead and jumped today (couldn't let two beautiful days pass) and didn't have any problems. Still......I have to do some thinking.

[freakydiver 0]

I jumped with a torn RC for 33 jumps (guesstimate). The 34th jump after my initial shoulder injury, at pull time my shoulder came completely out of the socket which ended up causing way more damage than just to the RC. Although it was a bad situation to be in at pull time, it was kind of funny looking at my right arm streaming like a noodle behind me completely useless. Went for silver and went for surgery the next week. Since surgery, I've had no issues whatsoever except for a bit of an abnormal RW box position because of the loss of flexibility. Get the things fixed that need fixing. It isn't worth risking your entire jumping carrer for one summer of fun.

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[darkvapor 0]

Did you allow for healing time? Or do any physical therapy? Just curious if you were jumping the week after your injury or if you waited several months after therapy....

[freakydiver 0]

Well, I had the surgery and didn't jump for close to a year. It sucked. But, five years later, I have no ill effects of the surgery - I can play all the hoops I want and do all the jumping I want without worrying which is a HUGE weight off of my shoulder (pun inteneded).

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[darkvapor 0]

I mean, after the initial RC injury. Like after the first time you hurt your RC, did you allow it to recover, or did you do those 33 jumps right after the incident?