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Contents
  • Types and Causes
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Prevention and Outlook

Shoulder Dislocation: What You Need to Know

Shoulder Dislocation: What You Need to Know

The Basics

Shoulder dislocations are common injuries that occur when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. They can be painful and limit arm movement.
Contents
  • Types and Causes
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Prevention and Outlook

Types and Causes

There are three main types of shoulder dislocations: anterior (most common), posterior, and inferior. They're usually caused by trauma like falls, sports injuries, or car accidents. The shoulder is prone to dislocation because it's a very mobile joint with a shallow socket.

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs include severe shoulder pain, a visibly deformed or out-of-place shoulder, swelling, and inability to move the arm. You may also experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arm or hand.
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. Commonly caused by trauma, it is characterized by severe pain and limited arm movement.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A doctor will examine your shoulder and may order X-rays to confirm the dislocation. Treatment involves carefully moving the arm bone back into the socket, called reduction. This is often done with medication for pain and muscle relaxation. After reduction, you'll need to keep the arm immobilized and do physical therapy.

Prevention and Outlook

To help prevent future dislocations, it's crucial to allow full healing and strengthen the shoulder through physical therapy. Some people may need surgery to repair damaged tissues. While painful, most people recover well from shoulder dislocations with proper treatment.

FAQs

How common are shoulder dislocations?

They account for about 50% of all major joint dislocations.

Can I reduce a dislocated shoulder myself?

It's not recommended - seek medical help to avoid further injury.

Will I dislocate my shoulder again?

Recurrence is common, especially in young people and athletes.

How long does recovery take?

Full recovery typically takes 12-16 weeks with proper care.

Is surgery always needed?

No, many dislocations can be treated without surgery.

Key Takeaways

While painful, shoulder dislocations are treatable with prompt medical care and proper rehabilitation.
If you suspect a shoulder dislocation, don't delay - talk to Doctronic about proper diagnosis and treatment options.
Additional References
  1. Zacchilli MA, Owens BD. Epidemiology of shoulder dislocations presenting to emergency departments in the United States. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010; 92:542.
  2. Kuhn JE. Treating the initial anterior shoulder dislocation--an evidence-based medicine approach. Sports Med Arthrosc 2006; 14:192.
  3. Olds M, Ellis R, Donaldson K, et al. Risk factors which predispose first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations to recurrent instability in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 2015; 49:913.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.