My son is a Sr in HS and I need some help.

Hello,
My son is a two sport athlete in high school(football and baseball). Last year he was diagnosed with multidirectional instability and had surgery to "tighten" everything up on his right shoulder . The surgery went well and he rehabed intime to play in the last 6 games of the football season and was moved from short stop to second to help with shoulder weakness during recovery. Well now the left shoulder is doing the same thing and I know this will end in surgery but we are to late in the year to save either season if we have surgery now. I really need help with possible treatments just to get us through the school year. the joint coming out of place is a problem but the pain that comes along with it is the real issue.(the right one would pop in and out with no pain, but since it was his throwing arm we had to have it fixed.) Would a cortisone shot help? How about any of the braces on the market? Im afraid about the use of pain meds...I understand some of you will say sports is not that important but im really just trying to help him enjoy his Sr year and have the memories that last a lifetime. He is a backup WR and a holder so he does not take the pounding that some kids take. Thanks you for your time....

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

I understand how important is sports to a child but without an evaluation it would be difficult for me to predict what is the problem and the appropriate management at this time. Though a cortisone shot may help a little with the pain and inflammation, it would do nothing to the underlying cause of instability and repeated shots may weaken the joint and without an evaluation it would be difficult to comment on if it would be advisable in his case. I am also not sure about how helpful would a brace/ splint be. The best advice that I can give at this time is to consult an orthopedician, if there could be a temporary fix to this, after a detailed evaluation; or would a surgery be required anyway. If it comes to choosing between the two, it is better to choose a functioning joint.
Hope this is useful.

Take care!