Living well: ASK THE Doctor

Have you got a question for Dr Dawn?

- Dr Dawn Harper

WHEN CAN I DITCH MY SLING?

Q Recently I went away for a girls' weekend and we were lucky to go horseriding on the beach. I hadn't ridden since I was a child. My horse was spooked by a seagull and I fell off and dislocated my shoulder. I was seen in the local hospital outpatients and given a sling to wear, but I didn't ask how long I should keep it on for.

A You can usually stop wearing a sling after a few days, but it can take three or four months to completely recover from a dislocation. You can go to a local physiotherapy service. The physios there can advise you on exercises to strengthen your shoulder muscles and reduce stiffness.