Dislocated Shoulder
 The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. Although your shoulder can move in many directions,
it can be easy to dislocate. A complete dislocation means the
humeral head (ball) is all the way off of the glenoid (socket). A partial
dislocation is called a subluxation. Both partial and complete
dislocations cause pain and unsteadiness in your shoulder. Your muscles may
have spasms from the disruption, and this can make it hurt more. When your
shoulder dislocates time and again, you have shoulder instability.
Symptoms you might have after a dislocation include swelling, numbness,
weakness and bruising. Sometimes when you dislocate your shoulder you may
tear tissue around the glenoid (labrum), ligaments or tendons in your
shoulder. Once in awhile, the dislocation may damage your nerves.
Your shoulder joint can dislocate forward (anteriorly), backward
(posteriorly) or downward (inferiorly). The most common type of shoulder
dislocation is when your shoulder slips forward (anterior instability).
This means your humeral head moved forward and down out of the
joint. It may happen when you put your arm in a throwing position.
If your shoulder dislocates and you cannot get it back into place on
your own you should be seen emergently by a physician. Your doctor will
examine your shoulder and may order an X-ray. The doctor will want to know
how your dislocation occurred. Was it a traumatic injury or did it just pop
out when you reached back to grab something? They will ask if you have
ever dislocated your shoulder before. Your doctor will reduce the
dislocation (put the ball back into the socket). The severe
pain will stop once your shoulder joint is back in place.
Rest and rehabilitation
Your doctor may immobilize your shoulder in a sling or an immobilizer
for several weeks following treatment. You should try to ice your shoulder
area 3-4 times a day; a bag of frozen corn or peas works well. After
a few weeks when the pain resolves your doctor will start you on shoulder
exercises. These help restore your range of motion and strengthen
the muscles of your shoulder. Rehab may also help you prevent
dislocating your shoulder again in the future.
Never swim alone once you have dislocated your shoulder. It
could pop out again and you could drown!
If you continue to have dislocations you may need to have surgery. If shoulder dislocation becomes a chronic condition, a
brace can sometimes help. However, if therapy and bracing fail, then you
may need surgery to repair the torn labrum or tighten the stretched
ligaments, which help hold the joint in place.
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