L. Vogt: Shoulder Joint Dislocation

DSV professional and downhill specialist Luis Vogt: Therapy after shoulder joint dislocation

During a fall at the Chilean training camp, DSV skier Luis Vogt suffered a serious shoulder injury that required surgery. At the traditional winter clothing presentation of the German Ski Association (DSV) at the end of October 2025, he spoke to medi about his progress in therapy and the status of his preparations for the Olympic season.
Since 2002, medi has been the medical partner supplying the DSV national ski teams with orthopaedic bandages and orthoses.

Luis, how did you fall during training?

"It was still a bit dark early in the morning. On the challenging training slope, my outer ski slipped at about 120 kilometres per hour, my skis crossed and I fell forward onto my shoulder. I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder on impact and knew immediately that something was broken! Luckily, my father was there as the team doctor and examined me straight away.‘

What was the initial treatment?

’He cut open my racing suit and saw that the side of my collarbone was sticking up. He then gave me painkillers. In La Parva, we took an X-ray of my cervical spine and shoulder, and the diagnosis was clear: Rockwood type V acromioclavicular joint separation. In other words, the fascia (deltoid trapezoid fascia) and all the ligaments stabilising the acromioclavicular joint were torn. It was clear that the training camp was over for me – I had to fly back to Germany."

Shoulder surgery four days after the fall

How did things continue back home?

‘Immediately after landing, I went to the Orthopaedic Clinic Munich (OCM) for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Two days later, I underwent surgery performed by Prof. Dr. Patric Raiss, a specialist in the field of modern shoulder surgery. Four days had passed since my fall in Chile.

What was done during the operation?

"To pull the collarbone back down and stabilise it, Prof. Dr. Patric Raiss inserted a TightRope system, a thread anchor construction that replaces the torn ligament between the collarbone and the coracoid process (coracoclavicular ligament). In addition, he made a ring suture between the collarbone and shoulder blade, a suture construction that holds the joint (acromioclavicular joint) in the correct position. Furthermore, the fascia between the upper part of the trapezius muscle and the front part of the deltoid muscle had to be sutured together to reconstruct the soft tissue covering over my collarbone, stabilise the joint and restore normal shoulder shape and function. Prof. Dr. Raiss did an excellent job and I am very satisfied with the operation."

Immobilisation, protection and rehabilitation with medi Arm fix and medi Shoulder action shoulder joint orthoses

How long were you unable to move your arm afterwards?

"At the OCM, I was given the medi Arm fix, a shoulder joint orthosis that immobilised my arm and restricted its movement. It took around five weeks for the larger, ten-centimetre-long scar to heal halfway. During that time, I wore the shoulder joint orthosis and kept my arm still. Only then did my physiotherapist begin mobilisation. However, I still sleep with the medi Arm fix at night. At events like today's winter clothing presentation, where someone might tap you on the shoulder, I wear the medi Shoulder action, which is also a shoulder joint orthosis. The advantage is that I can wear it under an oversized T-shirt – no one can see it, but I still have the protection. Both medi products are very suitable for everyday use."

How is your rehabilitation progressing?

"Two weeks after the operation, I started leg and torso training again and am using the ergometer. I am currently undergoing rehabilitation in Bad Endorf, a clinic designed to meet the needs of professional athletes. Here, everything revolves around mobilisation and mobility. Six and a half weeks after the operation, I have full clearance to move more than 90 degrees. Everything is pain-free. From the outset, we have focused on flexibility because it's good for the shoulder. We have always planned from week to week and adapted the training accordingly. Small steps are the most effective approach with an injury like this."

When do you think you'll be back on skis?

‘I'm absolutely motivated and think it's realistic that I'll be racing again in December! My goal is to ski as well as possible and compete! I'm giving it my all!’