What is Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder dislocation is a condition where the upper arm bones in the shoulder joint come out of their regular place. The round ball bone at the top of your upper arm, known as the humerus, inserts into the socket (glenoid) of your shoulder blade (scapula).

The dislocated shoulder is the result of the separation of connection between the ball and the socket between the bones. The dislocated shoulder can also harm the tissues, muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the surrounding shoulder joints. Thus, if you can't move your shoulder and experience a dislocation, immediately visit your doctor or any healthcare specialist nearby.

Shoulder dislocation can result from accidents, sports injuries, falls, and electric shocks, causing pressure on the shoulder joint.

How Do I Know I've Dislocated My Shoulder?

A dislocated shoulder is hard to find out. It can be a partial dislocation of shoulder or a complete dislocation. Some of the most common shoulder dislocation symptoms include:

• Intense Shoulder Pain
• Decrease in Range of Motion
• Swelling and Bruising
• Muscle Weakness or Numbness
• Noticeable Shoulder Shape Changes
• Shoulder Instability

It's critical to remember that dislocation is just one of a few different injuries that can create the symptoms listed above. Only a healthcare professional can make a conclusive diagnosis using an in-personal physical examination and imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI. It is crucial to see a doctor if you suspect something may be wrong. Trying to treat a shoulder dislocation at home can lead to complications.

Types of Shoulder Dislocation

There are mainly three types of Shoulder Dislocation, which are explained below:

1. Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

It is one of the most common types of shoulder dislocation constituting about 95% of all shoulder dislocation cases. In this forward shoulder dislocation, the arm bone’s head usually moves forward out of the shoulder socket. Its symptoms include severe pain in the front bone of the shoulder. Also, the limited motion range with noticeable shoulder deformity confirms the anterior dislocation of shoulder. A closed reduction procedure is usually used to treat this type of dislocation.

2. Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

It is an uncommon type of shoulder dislocation covering about 2-4% of all shoulder dislocation cases. It happens when the humerus, the head of the arm bone, moves backwards above the shoulder socket. The major causes of this dislocation are seizures, falls, electric shocks, etc.

Its symptoms include pain in the back of the shoulder and tingling or numbness.

Sometimes, a back injury could be mistaken for shoulder dislocation. It is recommended to visit an orthopaedic doctor for a proper diagnosis and to seek back injury treatment as advised by a specialist if needed.

3. Inferior Shoulder Dislocation

The inferior dislocation of shoulder is very rare compared to the above-mentioned two types. It happens in only 1% of the total cases. It occurs when the head of the arm dislocates downward towards the armpit. Symptoms include intense pain and inability to move the arm. Thus, immediate medical help should be provided for this case of shoulder dislocation.

Causes of Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder dislocation usually happens when you apply too much pressure on the shoulder joint. This can dislocate the arm bone from its place, causing dislocation of the shoulder bone. The pressure can be due to sudden falls, any forceful activity during sports, and accidents. Electric shock also causes shoulder dislocation, causing muscle contraction and pulling out the arm bone from the socket.

Immediate First Aid

In case of dislocation of your shoulder, at first, keep your arm still, and if available, use a sling. Don’t try to relocate your shoulder by yourself as this could worsen the situation. Also, apply the ice to reduce the pain and swelling. Then, try to seek professional help as early as possible to reduce the risk of further injuries.

How Is a Dislocated Shoulder Diagnosed?

When you arrive at the doctor’s office, your orthopaedic specialist will check for signs of tenderness, swelling, or disfigurement as well as any signs of nerve or blood vessel damage.

After the physical examination, your doctor will typically opt to take an X-ray to look for a dislocation as well as to check for any potentially broken bones or other damage such as a rotator cuff injury.

How Is A Dislocated Shoulder Treated?

Doctors employ various techniques for restoring the shoulder joint after a dislocation. The specific method can differ based on the extent of dislocation and other symptoms experienced by the patient.

The most common shoulder dislocation treatment without surgery is referred to as closed reduction or manipulation. Before the procedure, some doctors use a local anaesthetic to minimise pain, and intravenous sedation is often used to relax the shoulder muscles. During the procedure, the doctor will physically manipulate your arm and push it back into the shoulder socket.

A doctor may order additional X-rays to ensure the joint is positioned correctly. The doctor may advise physical therapy to regain range of motion and improve shoulder muscles. The doctor may also recommend a follow-up checkup with an orthopaedic specialist.

Although shoulder dislocation surgery is not recommended initially, it might be required if the shoulder keeps dislocating. This is done to stabilise the joint, avoid subsequent dislocations, and lower the likelihood of long-term complications such as degenerative arthritis. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon will relocate the shoulder back in its place. He may repair or tighten the ligaments that attach the arm to the shoulder blade.

What Is It Like to Have Your Shoulder Put Back in Its Socket?

Your doctor may refer to the process of putting the shoulder back in its socket as “reducing the dislocation” or a closed reduction. This is often done manually using a gentle physical manipulation and you may be given a sedative or pain reliever to make the process more comfortable. In more severe cases where there are damaged nerves or blood vessels, a surgical procedure by a qualified surgeon may be required. Having surgery will decrease your odds of dislocation more than once and is sometimes done in the case of young athletes.

What to Expect: Dislocation Recovery

After having it put back in its socket via a closed reduction, you will likely need to wear a special splint or sling for a few weeks to prevent it from moving while the joint heats.

During the dislocation recovery time, your doctor may recommend a medication like a pain reliever or a muscle relaxant to keep you comfortable as the pain and swelling naturally reduce.

Home Treatment

In most circumstances, a shoulder dislocation necessitates medical intervention to help limit the risk of recurrence and consequences. While waiting for medical attention, a person may try to alleviate symptoms. They can, for example, adopt the RICE approach:- rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This will assist in protecting the joint and keep it from swelling. They may also utilise prescription medicines to relieve pain and swelling. However, it is still preferable to seek immediate medical attention.

Dislocation Rehabilitation and Healing

It would help if you planned on beginning a rehabilitation program to assist you in regaining your joint's strength, stability, and range of motion after the splint or sling is taken off. If there is no major nerve or tissue damage, you should be able to recover from the injury within a few weeks. Before returning to regular activities, be sure you've got a full range of motion and have restored your strength. When it is time to remove the splint or sling, you can expect to start a rehabilitation program to help you regain your range of motion, strength, and stability in your joint.

In a case with no severe nerve or tissue damage, you can expect to heal from the injury within a few weeks. It is essential to ensure that you have a full range of movement and regain your strength before returning to regular activities. It is important to work with a physical therapist. When you get official approval from your healthcare professional, you can confidently go back to your routine without the risk of dislocating it again.

Physical exercise can help to regain strength and range of motion. Our experts recommend effective shoulder dislocation exercises to help recover from the condition. The main exercises that promote faster recovery include gentle shoulder stretching, mild resistance training, shoulder flexion and abduction, and shoulder extensions.

Note: Ask for help or follow the guidelines of a physical therapist for a better outcome.

Is A Dislocated Shoulder an Emergency?

Yes. If you have a dislocation, it is crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible.

While you are waiting to receive medical care, there are a couple of at-home treatments that you can start with, including the following:

• Don’t move: Use a splint or a sling to keep it in place. It is essential to not move and, more importantly, not try to push it back into place. By moving it, you can cause damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
• Apply ice: To help with the pain and swelling, apply ice or a cold compress as soon as possible. If you are using ice, be sure to wrap it in a thin cloth to prevent frostbite. Apply it for at least 20 minutes at a time then take a break briefly.
• Take pain medication: To help manage the pain and swelling, take pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Cold compress works well for sprains too. If you experience sudden pain and compressing the affected area doesn't work, perhaps it is time to seek shoulder pain treatment by an orthopaedic doctor.

When to call my healthcare professional

If you experience the following symptoms, then you should contact your healthcare provider:

• Swelling, bruises, pain in shoulder, hand or arm
• Change in the colour of your hand or arm
• Fever or any other discomfort in your body

How Can I Prevent a Dislocated Shoulder?

The majority of dislocated shoulders are caused by accidents and sports injuries. While it can be impossible to avoid unexpected accidents, there are some things that you can do to reduce your odds of dislocation during sports, including the following:

• Wear protective gear every time you are playing a contact sport. Wearing protective gear and pads can help minimise the risk of shoulder dislocation. This will reduce the impact during collision or falling, so having these protective gears and pads is important.
• Exercise to keep your shoulder flexible and strong. Develop a regular workout routine to build strength and flexibility in your joints and muscles. Always remember to do stretches before working out to prevent muscle cramps.
• Be aware that having a dislocated joint increases your risk of having another dislocation so carefully follow the plan prescribed by your physical therapist.