How long to wait after shoulder separation?

[Gombessa]

Asking for a friend, who would like to resume diving.

I've searched and found some good cautionary info here regarding increased risk of repetitive injury. He experienced a separation about a month and a half ago, and says he's healing well but can still feel slight tension/pain depending on how widely he moves his arm. My question is if there's a general rule on how long should he wait? Until he feels 100%? Only after his doctor says OK?

Thanks!

 

[Garrobo]

I had a complete shoulder rebuild on the 20th of March of '07 and was back in the water on July 12th. I wouldn't think that a seperation would be much of a problem.

 

[TSandM]

It actually depends in part on how bad the shoulder separation was. They are graded -- in a Grade 1, the ligament holding the joint together isn't actually destroyed but just strained. There is pain, but no abnormal mobility. Grade 3 is a complete division of the ligament, so that the collarbone and shoulder blade move independently of one another. And Grade 2 is halfway in between.

Grade 1's are generally treated conservatively and will heal. Six week should be a reasonable period for healing, although if there is a lot of pain with lifting heavy objects, that suggests more time should elapse before straining the joint. Grade 3's often require surgery, and the surgeon who did the procedure is really in the best position to advise as to when his repair is likely to be sturdy enough to take the strain of moving gear around. Grade 2's are frequently treated conservatively in the initial period, but this is an injury I wouldn't stress until the shoulder really felt pretty normal and had had some physical therapy to get the range of motion back.

 

[Gombessa]

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on and let him make the call.

 

[ScubaSarus]

If he can dive without aggravating or re-injuring his shoulder I say he is good to go for some conservative diving. It depends on his pain threshold. There still isnt absolute evidence to say an injury as such will make one susceptable to the bends but there is some evidence and literature; so I would make the dives conservative to start (more like shallow fun dives to 30-40 ft and set the computer a notch on the conservative side).

But call DAN if you like and get up to date on the dive insurance and go with DAN as they will work with him on the issue.

 

[sberanek]

I started diving about 8 months or so after a shoulder replacment and I haven't had any problems with it hurting. I did get some discomfort from Rescue class while being slung around like an unresponsive body I was supposed to be, and my BC used to press on part of the scar that was still tender, but everything is good now.

I would say, take it easy, talk to a doctor, and learn your limitations even if they are only temporary.

--Shannon