Ireland

Dr.Sanders,

I'm an 18-yr-old rugby player from Ireland and have been experiencing shoulder problems for the last one and a half years. The first time I did - it was when I was playing rugby in South Africa. I went for a diving tackle with my arms outstretched in front of me. As I landed, my left arm took most of the force. I then felt my shoulder 'pop out'. And then about a second later 'pop back in again'. I got X-rayed, but they said everything was o.k. My shoulder was still sore though and I kept getting 'clicking' sensations. I took a 2-month break before returning to rugby. Then about 3 months later I did it again. This time somebody was running at me and I outstretched my left arm. My left arm went with him, while my body stayed with me! Again I felt the popping in and out. I took a 2-week break and got physio and acupuncture on it, which helped. Then about 6 months later, I did it for a 3rd time - and now just last weekend for a 4th time. The exact same sensations. But now, my shoulder is a lot sorer. I have been to 2 physios and both have said I have shoulder instability and I was on a 3-month program with one of them where I did a lot of exercises and weights. The physiotherapy did strengthen my shoulder but there must be something wrong if I keep getting injured. What are your thoughts on this? What do you think I should do? Should I go see an orthopedic surgeon or should I go back to my physio? What do you recommend? I would really like to hear your views.

Thanks
Matthew

From Dr. Sanders

Thanks for your email. It is absurd to disbelieve that a rugby player does not have a traumatic injury with a labral tear. I was in Dublin in 2004 and watched you guys destroy the Scottish team. Rugby makes American Football look like a game of hopscotch (something little girls play). I am near certain that you probably need surgery for your shoulder - exactly as noted in my website: http://www.sandersclinic.net/shlder_instability.html

Mark Sanders