Surgery? Teenage Shoulder Subluxation

I would really welcome all advice regarding this injury!

I have a teenage Son (14 yrs, 9 mo) who has experineced (5) subluxations of his left shoulder over the past 12 months. All of these events occured while playing Ice Hockey. The inital occurance happened when falling backwards onto the elbow and the rest occured when falling forward. None occured from direct impact to the joint (i.e. shoulder to shoulder check). We have seen two different Doctor's after (2) seperate occurances and both advised PT prior to returning to play but neither recommended an Xray or MRI. We have gone to the same physical therapist after each event. After a few days in a sling and then several weeks of strengthening exercises for the shoulder my Son has returned to full ROM and balanced strength between his left and right shoulder. At such time the Therapist has cleared my Son to return to Hockey with the use of a shoulder brace. Although the brace has greatly reduced the length of time between occurances he has still been subluxed (two times with brace).

My Son is extremely strong for his size (5'7" & 135 lbs) and has played numerous travel level sports his entire life (Baseball, Basketball, Hockey and Wrestling). He does not want to give up Hockey (or other sports) at this point even though we have explained the risks to him. I do not want him to continue to tear up the joint and end up with lifelong issues but at the same time do not want to deny him the chance to play High School Sports. My questions are as follows:


1) Is he a candidate for surgery (I am assuming he has some damage to the soft tissue) at his age and condition? If so, what would his outlook be?

2) If he continues to play Hockey and continues the cycle of rest and rehab after each occurance, what is his outlook?


All feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

Surgical remedy may be in his future but he is young. Let an ortho MD determine that, particularly a pediatric one. Yes I would assume that the ligaments in the anterior/inferior aspect are loose/stretched. What you worry about with excessive motion is tearing other things as bones move where they are not supposed to. Tough one . Let a sports ortho decide then the decision is in the professionals hand/court/etc. This takes the guesswork out of it for you and you will be following informed medical advise

Some exercise on improving control/proprioception wouldn't hurt also.

..Hope to him fast full recovery


Be sure that strengthning exercises in mid ranges of motions...I would prefer not to back to his sport..sorry for that,,, but the nature of shoulder joint isnt too much stable ,,,meanwhile recurrence injuries is some thing !!!...

regarding surgeries the surgeon clinically would feed u regarding

- - - Updated - - -

..Hope to him fast full recovery


Be sure that strengthning exercises in mid ranges of motions...I would prefer not to back to his sport..sorry for that,,, but the nature of shoulder joint isnt too much stable ,,,meanwhile recurrence injuries is some thing !!!...

regarding surgeries the surgeon clinically would feed u regarding

Continue with the PT as prescribed by the doctor and seek second opinion from other orthopedic doctors.