Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder joint is a ball and socket kind joint that functions with the articulation of the humerus with the shoulder’s glenoid socket. In a dislocated shoulder, the humerus shifts out of the glenoid socket, causing pain, swelling and inflammation. Shoulder dislocation is of two types – Partial dislocation and complete dislocation. In partial dislocation, the upper end of the arm bone lies in the front or anterior side of the shoulder blade. Also called anterior dislocation, it is the most common type of shoulder dislocation.

In complete dislocation, the humerus is totally out of the glenoid socket. It is also called posterior dislocation.

Causes

• Direct blow to the shoulder
• A high fall
• Motor vehicle accident
• Acute sports injury 

Symptoms

You must rush to an orthopedist on noticing any of the following symptoms:

• Joint instability
• Unbearable pain
• Bone deformity
• Bruising and swelling
• Restricted shoulder movements
• Weakness

Diagnosis

To diagnose shoulder dislocation, your doctor will carry out imaging tests like:

• MRI
• X-Rays

Treatment

The orthopedist will decide the most suitable treatment for your shoulder dislocation based on several factors, such as the severity of the condition (number and position of dislocation), your age and occupation.

The different categories of treatment techniques include:

Non-surgical treatments

Sling: Your shoulder will be placed in a sling as a support, and to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the bone. It holds your shoulder and forearm together against the body. The position of the shoulder when held with a sling is named as internal rotation.

Immobilization: The position of the shoulder is in external rotation and it helps to hold the torn ligament in position for healing. Immobilization helps to prevent repeated shoulder dislocation.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps you to get back the lost strength and mobility. The retained strength through proper therapy allows the muscles to hold the dislocated shoulder in a fixed position.

Braces: This method is suggested for patients with sustained shoulder dislocation. Bracing tends to prevent placing the shoulder in a position that has a higher risk of dislocation. It is a common treatment process for athletes.

Surgical treatment

In the cases when shoulder dislocation tends to repeat over a few months or less, surgery is the most appropriate treatment technique. Through surgery, the orthopedic specialist will focus on treating the structures that support the shoulder. The front ligaments of the shoulder are mostly damaged. It is a recommended treatment method for repeated shoulder dislocations in young athletes.