Shoulder Injuries, anyone?

I know I probably have a lot of people knocking on wood right now, but I was wondering how many people out there have shoulder injuries, either related or not related to golf and are playing with them?

This is really a stab in the dark but I was hoping to find anyone with any advice i.e. exercises, stretches, strengthening exercises for someone with a shoulder injury. Maybe this isn't really a "Swing Tips" thread but it seems to be the closest thing to it.

I have a recurring shoulder injury (dislocated shoulder) stemming from the original injury about a year and a half ago, and I'd say it has happened at least 6-8 times since. And just my luck, it happened again this past Friday. The reality is that I need to get surgery, but I want to make it through this season if I can and wait until the fall to get a surgery like that.

I have a good amount of exercises, and again I realize I'm really reaching here, but I was hoping for something a little more golf-specific I guess or maybe thought I'd get lucky and find anyone else who is dealing with a similar injury.

I can't help you with any specific exercises, but I had surgery for my dislocations about 20 years ago. Unfortunately they "fixed" my shoulder (right) by limiting the external rotation of my shoulder. This has been great for preventing dislocations, but has been very hard to golf with (I didn't golf when I had the surgery). The limitation on the range of motion of my shoulder tends to push me OTT. To deal with this I have gone to a very flat one plane swing which requires very little motion from the right shoulder.

So if you do have the surgery someday, ask very specific questions about how it will change the range of motion. I can give you specifics about the procedures they used on me.

I haven't hurt my shoulder, but last summer, I hit some hard dirt and hurt my wrist. It wasn't broken, but even now, if I lean on it in certain positions, it shoots a pain through my arm. I just hope it doesn't affect this season's playing.

Hey,

I have a similar story. On about Sept 06 had a nasty MTB fall and completely dislocated my left shoulder, it hurt more than a fractured pelvis...

A few months later I started PT and reusing my shoulder. I believe in choices and that stuff happens for a reason, well... As a shoulder therapy someone recommended slow golf swings...

Two years later, addicted to golf, I grooved a pretty decent swing on not being able to whack the ball with all my strength.

Well fast forward to Jan 09, nasty fall again as I couldn't unclip from my bike. Dislocated again, but not completely. Took 3 weeks in a sling and started exercises. I did PT exercises (you can find them on Google as dislocated shoulder exercises), but when I really started to feel better was when I was able to do some gym exercises. Push up, pull ups, bench (careful, listen to your shoulder), ROWS.

After 2 months of hitting the gym my shoulder is feeling very strong again. Try it with your shoulder, but always go slow. I started bench pressing 10 LBS dumbbells... I am up to 40 lb with each arm which was similar to preinjury.

GL

I tore my rotator cuff and labrum and had the surgery this past Sept. I would suggest going to therapy. Its boring and monontonous but it works.