Injury Centre | Shoulder | Separated Shoulder | Dislocated Shoulder

 

 

Dislocated Shoulder

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 down out of its joint. It may happen when the arm is put in a throwing position.

There are two main joints that make up the shoulder, both of which are susceptible to acute injury brought on by impact to the shoulder. Sport related causes for these two distinct injuries are often trauma related. Any direct blow to the shoulder can result in either separation or dislocation.

Contact sports such as football and rugby can have the highest incidence of such injuries. However, a simple fall on the shoulder can have a similarl affect. Cycling is a sport that often has a high risk of a fall directly onto the shoulder.

The shoulder joint is the body's most mobile joint and it can turn in many ways; however, this advantage can also make the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate. A partial dislocation or 'subluxation' means the head of the humerous is partially out of the socket. A complete dislocation is when it becomes completely out of its socket. Both partial and complete dislocation causes severe pain in the shoulder area.

Glenohumeral Joint

The Glenohumeral joint is the ball and socket joint between the head of the humerus and the glenoid. Separation of these two joints are broken down into two categories. If the joint separates partly and temporarily it is called a subluxation. If the joint completely separates and remains that way, the injury is known as a dislocation.

While the actual instance of dislocation is usually associated with acute trauma, subluxation may occur in athletes with weak, unstable or imbalance rotator cuff muscles. As aluded to above any sport with an overhead action makes athletes susceptible to rotator cuff weakness.

Frequency

A shoulder dislocation further weakens the rotator cuff and puts the athlete at a very high risk of recurrence. As reported by the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the reported rate of shoulder instability recurrence has reached 100% for skeletally immature patients and as high as 96% for adolescents and adults younger than 30 years of age.

 

Symptoms

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Bruising

Sometimes dislocation may tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder and/or damage nerves.

 

Treatment

Although most doctors try to avoid surgery by treating patients with physical therapy, cortozone shots, and strengthening exercises, the incidence of recurrence greatly decreases after surgery.

Your doctor may immobilize the shoulder in a sling or other device for several weeks following treatment. Plenty of rest is needed. The affected area should be iced regularly.

After the pain and swelling reduce, the doctor should prescribe rehabilitation. These help restore the shoulder's range of motion and strengthen the muscles. Rehabilitation may also help prevent dislocating the shoulder again in the future.

If shoulder dislocation becomes a chronic condition, 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.

 

 

Disclaimer

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