Couple of days ago I dislocated a shoulder during a rugby game. The doctors popped it back in but it still feels sore and I can't move it too much or lift objects heavier than a tin of beans.
Anyone got any tips for recovery?
How long should I wait before hitting the gym?

Thanks

i've only dealt with smaller dislocations like ankles and such ... the best advice i have is to work on stretching it ... it's gonna be weird for a bit and it's going to be hard to do a whole lot of anything ... your best benefit is going to be working with its rotations ... just slowly lift your arm as far as you can comfortably straight out in front of you and rotate it around towards your back in a circle ... keep doing so until you keep gaining more and more height ... just don't rush it ...

Thanks a lot, do you think a week would be enough? I've started rotating, hurts like a bitch but I can gradually go further

i'd say a week at least ... it's gonna depend ... when i dislocated my ankle, i spent about a week on crutches doing exercises ... and limped around for another good week before i felt up to doing much else ... if it really bothers you, i would suggest physical therapy ... certain places will give you a leeway of like three treatments AND an evaluation, given that you pay, of course ... but they'll be able to do a little bit of massaging and stem or ultrasound treatments as well as walk you through exercises and give you a treatment plan ...

I dislocate my shoulder all the time, so it might be different for me. (I actually dislocate my shoulder in my sleep every now and then) For me, it has always gone away in a week. I know how it feels dealing with the pain, and trying to get through a week of being partially disabled.

Should only be a week

Exercise should be kept under a proper guidence under a coach, but exercise should not be taken in excess.

if you feel pain then its fine, just do exercise, go for running, jump, if you stay or take much bed rest then you will get more sick. to cure the pain is only by gaining more pain.

that's a wonderful philosophy, but it is so untrue ... i've injured myself worse by just saying "work through the pain" ... i'd always and forever suggest getting things checked out if pain persists, then, when the doc says that the pain is just a matter of time, and working through the pain won't injure you, go ahead ... but don't pull some bullheaded moves like i have saying "no pain no gain" and fighting through it day after day, week after week, and finding out that i've caused myself other injuries and weakened ligaments and tendons because i didn't get one taken care of first off ...

that was fine, but i have seen and experienced a lot with this. when i used to get fever, i dont take rest. i go with friends and i dont need to take any medicines, it cures easily. but when i take rest for anything, it gets more pain....unbearable pains.

lol Thats usually the opposite for me. When I'm sick, I cant do nothing but sleep.