Return to Play

Return to play in patients following a shoulder dislocation is determined when full range of motion (ROM) and strength have been regained. Return to play is usually sooner for older adults than for younger athletes, because the fear of redislocation is much lower in older adults. Usually, older adults can return to play within 3 months. With younger adults, conditioning can continue through shoulder rehabilitation; however, decisions about returning to play should be more conservative than those in older adults. Again, absolute criteria are full ROM and full strength.

When determining a patient's return to competitive sports, the author uses the following criteria:

Scapular stability through full ROM
Normal scapulohumeral rhythm
Full active and passive ROM
Rotator cuff strength at 80% of opposite side
Pain-free activities of daily living (ADLs)

Questions

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Media Gallery

Anterior dislocation.
Normal shoulder.
Shoulder dislocation, Part 1.
Shoulder dislocation, Part 2.
Shoulder dislocation, Part 3.
Shoulder dislocation, Part 4.
Shoulder dislocation, Part 5.

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Author

Valerie E Cothran, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Assistant Team Physician, University of Maryland

Valerie E Cothran, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Henry T Goitz, MD Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Academic Chief of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Regional Director of Ambulatory Clinic Site, Sports Medicine Institute, Detroit Medical Center

Henry T Goitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Detroit Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Michigan Orthopaedic Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig C Young, MD Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Joseph P Garry, MD, FACSM, FAAFP Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School

Joseph P Garry, MD, FACSM, FAAFP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Minnesota Medical Association, American College of Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert Josey, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Specialist of Austin

Robert Josey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

L Edward Seade, MD Chief of Shoulder Service, Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Shoulder Dislocation Follow-up

Return to Play

References

Tables

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