Okay, so here's the deal:

I've had a bad right shoulder for a couple of years now, wich basically was unstable in rotational movements, and would "pop" at extreme angles, but never dislocate. It never really hurt either, but the movement itself sorta scared me. Recently, I finally got medical exams on it, and whoopdeedoo, docs can't tell what it is. I also got to talk to a physiotherapeut, who gave me rehab exercise that target the rotator cuffs. He also told me to do basically all arm exercises with dumbbells instead of rods. (So as to get stability training at the same time, I suppose.) So it's been like 2 months, and the shoulder is getting better, but the docs said that they'd like to open the shoulder and examinate it surgically, with a tube-camera. (I don't know the correct term.)

My question is, should I undergo that surgery, or place my hopes on the rehab-exercises?
I don't really want to be out of training at all because of my shoulder, but at the same time I don't want my shoulder to be bad the rest of my life either.
Do you guys have any good advice? Maybe some of you have been in a similar situation and have a good idea of what to do. I'd like to know. Thanks.

I'd say stop training, much as that sucks.

If it were me, I wouldn't get cut if it doesn't hurt, doesn't dislocate, and it has full passive range of motion. But that's just me.

Work with some resistance bands and/or tubes, too. They are good stuff for improving stability.

Also, people rave about this book:
http://www.amazon.com/7-Minute-Rotator-Cuff-Solution/dp/0944831257

Good luck.

http://www.eorthopod.com/eorthopodV2/index.php/fuseaction/topics.detail/ID/79791a8f7dd9f446b38653cbeab9a955/TopicID/ace5f11116c13bf54478b27dfe65a29f/area/6

Odds are you've stretched or partially torn RC ligaments and/or your labrum. A full tear (which you don't have) would necessetate surgery. I think you're best off with a good rotator cuff rehab program and a lot of patience. Then again, I'm not a doctor, am I?

it doesnt mean you have done your rotator cuff, my surgeon was convinced prior to my mri, when that ame up negative they had a look, apparently its quite common, but it may be a SLAP tear, either google it or look at www.slaptear.com (really)

Okay, so here's the deal:

I've had a bad right shoulder for a couple of years now, wich basically was unstable in rotational movements, and would "pop" at extreme angles, but never dislocate. It never really hurt either, but the movement itself sorta scared me. Recently, I finally got medical exams on it, and whoopdeedoo, docs can't tell what it is. I also got to talk to a physiotherapeut, who gave me rehab exercise that target the rotator cuffs. He also told me to do basically all arm exercises with dumbbells instead of rods. (So as to get stability training at the same time, I suppose.) So it's been like 2 months, and the shoulder is getting better, but the docs said that they'd like to open the shoulder and examinate it surgically, with a tube-camera. (I don't know the correct term.)

My question is, should I undergo that surgery, or place my hopes on the rehab-exercises?
I don't really want to be out of training at all because of my shoulder, but at the same time I don't want my shoulder to be bad the rest of my life either.
Do you guys have any good advice? Maybe some of you have been in a similar situation and have a good idea of what to do. I'd like to know. Thanks.

You don't specify what exams you had - was it an MRI, an Ultrasound or just physical examinations?

Generally a skilled sports doctor/orthopaedic surgeon or physio will be able to tell at least whether your shoulder is structurally stable (ie no major ligament/labrum/tendon tears that will compromise the ability of the shoulder to remain firm in the socket) from a physical examination. If they feel there is some structural instability there then rehab exercises alone will never fix it and you'll probably need surgery. If they're operating because they don't have a clue what's wrong I'd stick with the rehab program. Again, they should have explained the difference - and note that there is a difference between not knowing exactly what structure is damaged and not having a clue if there is any major damage.

You don't necessarily have to rest completely but you should modify your training for a while, particularly avoiding any overhead movements.

The symptoms you describe sound like you could have what's called 'global hypermobility syndrome', which basically means that your ligaments are a lot looser than they should be - can you bend your thumb down to touch your wrist, can you grasp your hands behind your back with one hand going over your head and one hand under? If so, you may just be unlucky in your genetics and will have to be careful with your shoulders - you'll probably have to do the stability exercises for as long as you continue to train.

Oh crap, I forgot to say what exams I've had. X-ray twice, and docs felt my shoulder up too.
I just tested the thumb thing, and I can't do it. I can grasp my hands behind my head in the way you described though, so yeah, I'm hypermobile. The docs already said something about the labrum, but they were very vage, so I did'nt really pickup on it.

Now regarding rehab, I'm already doing that, and it has been working, that's fine. And I am careful with my shoulders, I don't stress them more then I have too. Since I'm a pure grappler at the moment, all I really have to be careful with is shoulderlocks, too.

My number one question, and I'm sorry if it did'nt come clear across in my first post (not native speaker) is this: Should I get an examinative surgery on my shoulder, or just go on with my stability exercises?
Thanks everyone for the tips and websites, by the way.

I probably would have the surgery, with the full expectation of being disappointed with the doctor's clarity of conclusions.

My suggestion is to see a specialist in shoulder surgeries, they can tell if the instability could be helped or not. I had a similar problem where my anterior capsule was stretched out. The capsule is the sheath of tendons around the ball and socket shoulder joint. Working on stabilizers like the rotator cuff will protect this area and will help. I had surgery done without and exploratory work. Don't let anyone do orthascopic surgery on you unless they specialize in shoulders.

After I had my surgery it was 2 months before I could really do any training. Expect 6 months before you get 100% mobility. You can still train in the 2-6 month period. I do a lot of locks and throws so I think its a good benchmark for a similar surgery.

Oh crap, I forgot to say what exams I've had. X-ray twice, and docs felt my shoulder up too.
I just tested the thumb thing, and I can't do it. I can grasp my hands behind my head in the way you described though, so yeah, I'm hypermobile. The docs already said something about the labrum, but they were very vage, so I did'nt really pickup on it.

Now regarding rehab, I'm already doing that, and it has been working, that's fine. And I am careful with my shoulders, I don't stress them more then I have too. Since I'm a pure grappler at the moment, all I really have to be careful with is shoulderlocks, too.

My number one question, and I'm sorry if it did'nt come clear across in my first post (not native speaker) is this: Should I get an examinative surgery on my shoulder, or just go on with my stability exercises?
Thanks everyone for the tips and websites, by the way.

I wouldn't have surgery without an MRI at the very least. Pure XRay is next to useless in this case.

I should say that I always check out all my options in terms of soft-tissue work before going anywhere else. I would seriously consider visiting an osteopath and seeing what they think.

from what i recall when i had my tests, put both your arms out straight infront of you and turn your palms so that they are facing directly away from each other, then get someone to push straight down on your wrists, not too hard, if there is bad damage you will notice that you cant keep your arm up, however hard you try, apparently its quite a common injury for people not to realise they have...

^^ Most likely O'brien's test for superior labrum. There are literally dozens of differentiating tests for the shoulder, none of them are conclusive on their own. I generally do at least ten different ones on my patients (I'm a sports physio who works a lot with professional rugby players so I see a lot of shoulders)

To summarise Backdraft

- get an MRI before you have surgery

- keep doing the exercises but you need to progress them. You may have just been given a standard set of exercises for the average guy. If your physio has no expertise with athletes who do contact and collision sports then see one who does.

- as Hands said, you should make sure you see a specialist in shoulder surgery, not just a general orthopaedic surgeon.

Good luck

thats the name of it, couldnt remember it!

but my bastard surgeon being in the army made me do press ups to see if it had healed...

Thanks a ton for the advice everyone.
I'll keep at my stability exercises, and eventually, I'll try to get a hold of a shoulder specialist and someone to progress my exercises.
I say eventually because I fucking hate swedish health care. (And I hate them because they took 2 damn years to schedule me a goddamn appointement.)
Again, thanks a lot.