MY FRENCH PHYSIO
PHYSIOTHERAPY OSTEOPATHY
SPORTS MASSAGE
COURCHEVEL
Shoulder Dislocation — Mobile Physiotherapy & Recovery in Courchevel
[KEY FACTS
My French Physio provides mobile assessment and rehabilitation for shoulder dislocation, subluxation and post-reduction recovery directly at your chalet or hotel in Courchevel and the Three Valleys. Mathieu Zelechowski, French state-registered physiotherapist (Diplôme d'État, École d'Assas, 1998) and osteopath (Collège Sutherland, 2004), has treated shoulder injuries in skiers, snowboarders and post-surgical patients for over 20 years. Sessions follow your surgeon's protocol when relevant, with full clinical reporting in English or French. Available 7 days a week. Booking: +33 6 60 95 66 51.
What is a shoulder dislocation?
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) is forced out of the glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade). The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, which also makes it the most prone to dislocation. Around 95 percent of dislocations are anterior (the humeral head moves forward and downward), with posterior and inferior (luxatio erecta) being much rarer. A subluxation is a partial dislocation where the joint partially comes out and spontaneously returns to place.
How shoulder dislocations happen on the slopes
The classic mechanism in winter sports is a fall on an outstretched hand with the arm in abduction and external rotation — a position that is particularly common during a snowboard fall. Other mechanisms include a direct impact on the back of the shoulder during a ski fall, a forceful pull on the arm when caught in a tree branch or lift safety bar, or a fall while ski-touring or off-piste. Snowboarders are statistically more affected than skiers because of the absence of poles and the higher proportion of falls on the upper limbs. A fall that dislocates the shoulder often produces concurrent whiplash, especially in snowboard or rear-end collision mechanisms.
Symptoms to recognise
A first-time shoulder dislocation is usually unmistakable: severe and immediate pain, visible deformity (the shoulder appears squared off, with a bulge in the front of the joint in anterior dislocations), inability to move the arm, the affected arm typically held in a slightly abducted and externally rotated position, and possible numbness or tingling down the arm if the axillary nerve is compressed. Subluxations and recurrent dislocations may present with more subtle pain, instability or a feeling that the shoulder « slips out » with certain movements.
Emergency care: what to do on the slopes
If a shoulder dislocation is suspected, do not attempt to relocate the joint yourself. Immobilise the arm in the position that is most comfortable, support it close to the body with a sling or improvised support, avoid any movement and seek immediate medical care for reduction by a trained doctor — typically at the resort medical centre or a local clinic. Reduction must be performed quickly to limit pain and reduce the risk of nerve or vascular damage. An X-ray before and after reduction is standard practice to confirm successful relocation and rule out associated fractures.
After the reduction: what comes next
Once the shoulder is reduced, the priority shifts to protecting the joint while it heals. A sling is typically worn for 1 to 3 weeks depending on age, severity and surgeon's recommendation. Mobile physiotherapy can begin early, often within the first week, with isometric exercises and gentle pendulum movements. Early rehabilitation is critical because the rate of recurrent instability after a first anterior dislocation is high — up to 70 to 90 percent in patients under 25 — and structured rehabilitation reduces both recurrence and chronic pain.
Mobile rehabilitation at your chalet
Mathieu Zelechowski provides full shoulder rehabilitation directly at your accommodation. Treatment includes pain and inflammation management, scapular stabilisation work, progressive range of motion restoration respecting surgical or post-reduction precautions, rotator cuff strengthening (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor), proprioceptive training to rebuild joint position sense, neuromuscular control of the shoulder girdle, and a progressive return-to-sport programme adapted to skiing, snowboarding or daily activities.
When is surgery indicated?
Most first-time anterior dislocations are managed conservatively with rehabilitation. Surgery (typically arthroscopic Bankart repair) is more often recommended for young active patients with a high recurrence risk, recurrent instability after a first dislocation, associated bony lesions (Hill-Sachs, glenoid bone loss), labral tears with mechanical symptoms, or rotator cuff tears that are unlikely to heal without repair. The decision is made jointly with an orthopaedic surgeon based on age, sport, activity level and imaging findings.
Recovery timeline and return to skiing or snowboarding
Recovery depends on the severity, age, sport and chosen treatment path. Conservative management of a first-time dislocation typically requires 6 to 12 weeks before return to low-risk activities and 3 to 6 months before return to skiing or snowboarding. After arthroscopic Bankart repair, the standard protocol is 4 to 6 weeks of sling, 3 months for daily activities, and 6 to 9 months before return to contact or impact sports. Each return is validated jointly by the surgeon, physiotherapist and patient based on strength, stability and proprioceptive criteria.
For more details on post-operative rehabilitation principles, see our dedicated page on post-surgery rehabilitation many of the same principles of continuity of care apply to shoulder surgery.
Related upper-body and accident-related conditions
Shoulder dislocations on the slopes rarely happen in isolation. The same falling pattern often produces a skier's thumb when the pole forces the thumb backwards, or whiplash when the cervical spine absorbs part of the impact. In high-energy crashes, lower-body injuries such as an ACL knee injury can also occur simultaneously and require parallel rehabilitation. Our mobile physiotherapy and osteopathy services in Courchevel coordinate the recovery of all affected joints in a single in-chalet programme, delivered by Mathieu Zelechowski, French state-registered practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you treat a dislocated shoulder at my chalet in Courchevel?
Yes, Mathieu Zelechowski provides full mobile rehabilitation after shoulder reduction directly at your chalet, hotel or residence in Courchevel 1850, 1650 Moriond, 1550 Le Village, Le Praz and La Tania. The reduction itself must be performed by a doctor at a medical centre, but all subsequent rehabilitation can be delivered at your accommodation.
Should I try to put my shoulder back in place myself?
No. Attempting self-reduction risks aggravating the injury, damaging nerves, blood vessels or causing a fracture. Immobilise the arm in the most comfortable position, support it with a sling and seek immediate medical care for professional reduction.
How soon after reduction can I start physiotherapy?
Early physiotherapy, often within the first week after reduction, is now considered best practice. Initial sessions focus on pain control, gentle mobilisation, scapular activation and isometric exercises. The intensity is progressed according to the surgeon's protocol if surgery has been performed.
Will the shoulder dislocate again?
Recurrence rates are high after a first anterior dislocation, especially in patients under 25 (up to 70 to 90 percent without rehabilitation). Structured rehabilitation significantly reduces recurrence by restoring strength, stability and proprioception. In high-risk profiles, surgical stabilisation may be discussed with an orthopaedic surgeon.
When can I ski or snowboard again?
Return to skiing typically takes 3 to 6 months after a conservatively managed first dislocation, and 6 to 9 months after arthroscopic Bankart repair. Snowboarding generally requires similar or slightly longer timelines because of the higher fall risk on the upper limbs. Each return is validated based on objective strength and stability criteria.
Will my travel insurance cover the treatment?
Yes, we provide detailed invoices compatible with international travel insurance claims. Most UK, US, European, Middle Eastern and Asian policies cover physiotherapy abroad following an accident. Medical certificates can be provided if required for your insurer.
Are you a qualified physiotherapist in France?
Yes, Mathieu Zelechowski is a French state-registered physiotherapist (RPPS number 10005513642) holding a Diplôme d'État de Kinésithérapie from 1998 and an Osteopathy Diploma obtained in France and the UK in 2004, with more than 20 years of clinical experience in Courchevel.
For shoulder dislocation rehabilitation in Courchevel, call or WhatsApp +33 6 60 95 66 51 — same-day appointments available 7 days a week during the ski season.
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We cover Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550 and Le Praz.