Question
I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
Answer
A shoulder dislocation can create long-term problems due to recurrent instability, either in the form of recurrent dislocations or recurrent subluxations.
It sounds like your problem is more one of pain, however. A shoulder dislocation can also create long-term pain issues due to tears in the structures of the shoulder, including the labrum and rotator cuff, and damage to the articular cartilage.
Since you are still having difficulty, it would be wise to see an orthopaedic surgeon who can evaluate your particular situation to determine what is causing the pain and what can be done to address it.
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