The shoulder joint is the body’s most mobile joint. It can turn in many directions. But, this advantage also makes the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate.
A partial dislocation (subluxation) means the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is partially out of the socket (glenoid). A complete dislocation means it is all the way out of the socket. Both partial and complete dislocations cause pain and unsteadiness in the shoulder.
Symptoms
Symptoms to look for include:
- Deformity
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Bruising
Sometimes dislocation may tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder or damage nerves.
The shoulder joint can dislocate forward, backward, or downward. A common type of shoulder dislocation is when the shoulder slips forward (anterior instability). This means the upper arm bone moved forward and out of its socket. It may happen when the arm is put in a throwing position.
Examination
The muscles may have spasms from the dislocation, and this can make it hurt more. When the shoulder dislocates time and again, there is recurrent shoulder instability.
The doctor will examine the shoulder and may order an x-ray. It is important that the doctor know how the dislocation happened and whether the shoulder had ever been dislocated before.
Treatment
The doctor will place the ball of the upper arm bone (humerus) back into the joint socket. This process is called a closed reduction. Severe pain stops almost immediately once the shoulder joint is back in place.
Rehabilitation
Your doctor may immobilize the shoulder in a sling or other device for several weeks following treatment. Plenty of early rest is needed. The sore area can be iced 3 to 4 times a day.
After the pain and swelling go down, the doctor will prescribe rehabilitation exercises for you. This help restore the shoulder’s range of motion and strengthen the muscles. Rehabilitation may also help prevent dislocation of the shoulder again in the future. Rehabilitation will begin with gentle muscle toning exercises. Later, weight training can be added.
If shoulder dislocation becomes a recurrent problem, a brace can sometimes help. However, if therapy and bracing fail, surgery may be needed to repair or tighten the torn or stretched ligaments that help hold the joint in place, particularly in young athletes.
At times, the recurrently dislocating shoulder can result in some bone damage to the humerus or shoulder socket. If your surgeon identifies some bone damage, he or she may recommend a bone transfer type of surgery.