Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder When your shoulder joint moves out of place, it becomes quite painful, especially if it is actually dislocated. A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper part of your arm bone feels like it pops out of the cup-shaped socket that is surrounded by the shoulder blade. As the most mobile joint, the shoulder is more likely to be dislocated than any other bone.

After a shoulder injury, seek medical attention soon if you believe it may be a dislocated shoulder. Usually, with proper treatment and care, full use of the shoulder returns within a few weeks. Sadly, after a shoulder dislocation occurs, you become more susceptible to it in the future.

What Happens When You Dislocate Your Shoulder?

Many wonder what actually happen when you dislocate your shoulder, and how they will know when it does. Since a shoulder dislocation occurs when a bone pops out of another bone, it will be quite painful. The shoulder will take on a square, rather than round, appearance and you will be unable to move the arm.

What to Do
If it appears that you have a dislocated shoulder, seek medical attention as soon as possible. As you are waiting for the doctor or physician to see, be sure that you do not move the joint as any movement may worsen the injury and lengthen your recovery time. Furthermore, have someone hold ice over the shoulder blade (on the upper left or right edge of your back) to reduce swelling from blood and fluids as well as to alleviate the pain.

What Causes Dislocated Shoulder?
The shoulder joint is easily dislocated because it can move in almost every direction – meaning it can also be dislocated by movement in any direction. Generally, a dislocated shoulder is through the front, but partial dislocations can occur in any of the directions. For a dislocation to occur, it will take a relatively strong force that pulls the bones out of place or extreme rotation of the shoulder joint. The following are the most common causes of a dislocated shoulder:

• Injuries during sports:Many sports can be dangerous due to their risk of heavy impact with another player. If hit in the right spot, these impacts can cause shoulder dislocations, especially during football, hockey, skiing, or gymnastics.


• Any trauma not from sports:Sports activities are not the only time you risk a heavy impact – hard blows during an accident or even standing in the way of a door opened too roughly may lead to an injury.


• Falls: Slipping on the ice and falling may lead to a shoulder dislocation, just as a fall on a flat surface or down the set of stairs may cause such an injury.

How Is Dislocated Shoulder Treated?
The following treatments are recommended in the days and months following a dislocated shoulder injury:

• The hardest treatment for a dislocated shoulder is popping the shoulder joint back into place. This process will be painful, but the pain should quickly subside to a dull throb and allow the doctor to assess what other steps will be needed for a full recovery.


• One of the first treatments for a dislocated shoulder, even before seeing a doctor, is to ice the area for several days. Ice the area for at least 30 minutes with approximately 3-4 hours in between.


• To prevent further damage to the shoulder joint, use a sling to inhibit mobility and prevent you from using that arm.


• Use a painkiller, such as ibuprofen, to reduce the pain and swelling. These should not be used for an extended period of time, unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the side effects of bleeding and Ulcers.


• Begin using specifics strength training and stretching exercises to improve your shoulder’s mobility and discourage any additional dislocated shoulders.


• Some dislocated Shoulder Injuries may require surgery to repair a ligament or to reposition the bones. The severity will determine the length of your recovery, which is generally between 3 weeks to 3 months.

Arm and Shoulder Exercises
In the weeks immediately following the injury, you will want to refrain from using the injured arm and allow it to heal for at least two to three weeks, unless otherwise specified by a doctor. This should be enough time for the soft tissue to begin to repair, at which point a physiotherapist will work with you and your specific injury to determine which exercises would be best. These exercises will be designed to relieve the pain, return the shoulder muscles’ strength, and reduce the stiffness from the muscles not being used for a while.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the above treatments should help, but may not completely heal your shoulder. For some, healing may only take a few weeks and for others, healing may take several months until they have regained full strength. Most can resume normal daily activities after two weeks, but any heavy lifting or impact sports should be avoided for one to six months, depending on what the orthopedic surgeon advises.

Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder When your shoulder joint moves out of place, it becomes quite painful, especially if it is actually dislocated. A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper part of your arm bone feels like it pops out of the cup-shaped socket that is surrounded by the shoulder blade. As the most mobile joint, the shoulder is more likely to be dislocated than any other bone.

After a shoulder injury, seek medical attention soon if you believe it may be a dislocated shoulder. Usually, with proper treatment and care, full use of the shoulder returns within a few weeks. Sadly, after a shoulder dislocation occurs, you become more susceptible to it in the future.

What Happens When You Dislocate Your Shoulder?

Many wonder what actually happen when you dislocate your shoulder, and how they will know when it does. Since a shoulder dislocation occurs when a bone pops out of another bone, it will be quite painful. The shoulder will take on a square, rather than round, appearance and you will be unable to move the arm.

What to Do
If it appears that you have a dislocated shoulder, seek medical attention as soon as possible. As you are waiting for the doctor or physician to see, be sure that you do not move the joint as any movement may worsen the injury and lengthen your recovery time. Furthermore, have someone hold ice over the shoulder blade (on the upper left or right edge of your back) to reduce swelling from blood and fluids as well as to alleviate the pain.

What Causes Dislocated Shoulder?
The shoulder joint is easily dislocated because it can move in almost every direction – meaning it can also be dislocated by movement in any direction. Generally, a dislocated shoulder is through the front, but partial dislocations can occur in any of the directions. For a dislocation to occur, it will take a relatively strong force that pulls the bones out of place or extreme rotation of the shoulder joint. The following are the most common causes of a dislocated shoulder:

• Injuries during sports:Many sports can be dangerous due to their risk of heavy impact with another player. If hit in the right spot, these impacts can cause shoulder dislocations, especially during football, hockey, skiing, or gymnastics.


• Any trauma not from sports:Sports activities are not the only time you risk a heavy impact – hard blows during an accident or even standing in the way of a door opened too roughly may lead to an injury.


• Falls: Slipping on the ice and falling may lead to a shoulder dislocation, just as a fall on a flat surface or down the set of stairs may cause such an injury.

How Is Dislocated Shoulder Treated?
The following treatments are recommended in the days and months following a dislocated shoulder injury:

• The hardest treatment for a dislocated shoulder is popping the shoulder joint back into place. This process will be painful, but the pain should quickly subside to a dull throb and allow the doctor to assess what other steps will be needed for a full recovery.


• One of the first treatments for a dislocated shoulder, even before seeing a doctor, is to ice the area for several days. Ice the area for at least 30 minutes with approximately 3-4 hours in between.


• To prevent further damage to the shoulder joint, use a sling to inhibit mobility and prevent you from using that arm.


• Use a painkiller, such as ibuprofen, to reduce the pain and swelling. These should not be used for an extended period of time, unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the side effects of bleeding and Ulcers.


• Begin using specifics strength training and stretching exercises to improve your shoulder’s mobility and discourage any additional dislocated shoulders.


• Some dislocated Shoulder Injuries may require surgery to repair a ligament or to reposition the bones. The severity will determine the length of your recovery, which is generally between 3 weeks to 3 months.

Arm and Shoulder Exercises
In the weeks immediately following the injury, you will want to refrain from using the injured arm and allow it to heal for at least two to three weeks, unless otherwise specified by a doctor. This should be enough time for the soft tissue to begin to repair, at which point a physiotherapist will work with you and your specific injury to determine which exercises would be best. These exercises will be designed to relieve the pain, return the shoulder muscles’ strength, and reduce the stiffness from the muscles not being used for a while.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the above treatments should help, but may not completely heal your shoulder. For some, healing may only take a few weeks and for others, healing may take several months until they have regained full strength. Most can resume normal daily activities after two weeks, but any heavy lifting or impact sports should be avoided for one to six months, depending on what the orthopedic surgeon advises.

Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder

When your shoulder joint moves out of place, it becomes quite painful, especially if it is actually dislocated. A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper part of your arm bone feels like it pops out of the cup-shaped socket that is surrounded by the shoulder blade. As the most mobile joint, the shoulder is more likely to be dislocated than any other bone.

After a shoulder injury, seek medical attention soon if you believe it may be a dislocated shoulder. Usually, with proper treatment and care, full use of the shoulder returns within a few weeks. Sadly, after a shoulder dislocation occurs, you become more susceptible to it in the future.

What Happens When You Dislocate Your Shoulder?

Many wonder what actually happen when you dislocate your shoulder, and how they will know when it does. Since a shoulder dislocation occurs when a bone pops out of another bone, it will be quite painful. The shoulder will take on a square, rather than round, appearance and you will be unable to move the arm.

What to Do
If it appears that you have a dislocated shoulder, seek medical attention as soon as possible. As you are waiting for the doctor or physician to see, be sure that you do not move the joint as any movement may worsen the injury and lengthen your recovery time. Furthermore, have someone hold ice over the shoulder blade (on the upper left or right edge of your back) to reduce swelling from blood and fluids as well as to alleviate the pain.

What Causes Dislocated Shoulder?
The shoulder joint is easily dislocated because it can move in almost every direction – meaning it can also be dislocated by movement in any direction. Generally, a dislocated shoulder is through the front, but partial dislocations can occur in any of the directions. For a dislocation to occur, it will take a relatively strong force that pulls the bones out of place or extreme rotation of the shoulder joint. The following are the most common causes of a dislocated shoulder:

• Injuries during sports:Many sports can be dangerous due to their risk of heavy impact with another player. If hit in the right spot, these impacts can cause shoulder dislocations, especially during football, hockey, skiing, or gymnastics.


• Any trauma not from sports:Sports activities are not the only time you risk a heavy impact – hard blows during an accident or even standing in the way of a door opened too roughly may lead to an injury.


• Falls: Slipping on the ice and falling may lead to a shoulder dislocation, just as a fall on a flat surface or down the set of stairs may cause such an injury.

How Is Dislocated Shoulder Treated?
The following treatments are recommended in the days and months following a dislocated shoulder injury:

• The hardest treatment for a dislocated shoulder is popping the shoulder joint back into place. This process will be painful, but the pain should quickly subside to a dull throb and allow the doctor to assess what other steps will be needed for a full recovery.


• One of the first treatments for a dislocated shoulder, even before seeing a doctor, is to ice the area for several days. Ice the area for at least 30 minutes with approximately 3-4 hours in between.


• To prevent further damage to the shoulder joint, use a sling to inhibit mobility and prevent you from using that arm.


• Use a painkiller, such as ibuprofen, to reduce the pain and swelling. These should not be used for an extended period of time, unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the side effects of bleeding and Ulcers.


• Begin using specifics strength training and stretching exercises to improve your shoulder’s mobility and discourage any additional dislocated shoulders.


• Some dislocated Shoulder Injuries may require surgery to repair a ligament or to reposition the bones. The severity will determine the length of your recovery, which is generally between 3 weeks to 3 months.

Arm and Shoulder Exercises
In the weeks immediately following the injury, you will want to refrain from using the injured arm and allow it to heal for at least two to three weeks, unless otherwise specified by a doctor. This should be enough time for the soft tissue to begin to repair, at which point a physiotherapist will work with you and your specific injury to determine which exercises would be best. These exercises will be designed to relieve the pain, return the shoulder muscles’ strength, and reduce the stiffness from the muscles not being used for a while.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the above treatments should help, but may not completely heal your shoulder. For some, healing may only take a few weeks and for others, healing may take several months until they have regained full strength. Most can resume normal daily activities after two weeks, but any heavy lifting or impact sports should be avoided for one to six months, depending on what the orthopedic surgeon advises.

Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder

When your shoulder joint moves out of place, it becomes quite painful, especially if it is actually dislocated. A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper part of your arm bone feels like it pops out of the cup-shaped socket that is surrounded by the shoulder blade. As the most mobile joint, the shoulder is more likely to be dislocated than any other bone.

After a shoulder injury, seek medical attention soon if you believe it may be a dislocated shoulder. Usually, with proper treatment and care, full use of the shoulder returns within a few weeks. Sadly, after a shoulder dislocation occurs, you become more susceptible to it in the future.

What Happens When You Dislocate Your Shoulder?

Many wonder what actually happen when you dislocate your shoulder, and how they will know when it does. Since a shoulder dislocation occurs when a bone pops out of another bone, it will be quite painful. The shoulder will take on a square, rather than round, appearance and you will be unable to move the arm.

What to Do
If it appears that you have a dislocated shoulder, seek medical attention as soon as possible. As you are waiting for the doctor or physician to see, be sure that you do not move the joint as any movement may worsen the injury and lengthen your recovery time. Furthermore, have someone hold ice over the shoulder blade (on the upper left or right edge of your back) to reduce swelling from blood and fluids as well as to alleviate the pain.

What Causes Dislocated Shoulder?
The shoulder joint is easily dislocated because it can move in almost every direction – meaning it can also be dislocated by movement in any direction. Generally, a dislocated shoulder is through the front, but partial dislocations can occur in any of the directions. For a dislocation to occur, it will take a relatively strong force that pulls the bones out of place or extreme rotation of the shoulder joint. The following are the most common causes of a dislocated shoulder:

• Injuries during sports:Many sports can be dangerous due to their risk of heavy impact with another player. If hit in the right spot, these impacts can cause shoulder dislocations, especially during football, hockey, skiing, or gymnastics.


• Any trauma not from sports:Sports activities are not the only time you risk a heavy impact – hard blows during an accident or even standing in the way of a door opened too roughly may lead to an injury.


• Falls: Slipping on the ice and falling may lead to a shoulder dislocation, just as a fall on a flat surface or down the set of stairs may cause such an injury.

How Is Dislocated Shoulder Treated?
The following treatments are recommended in the days and months following a dislocated shoulder injury:

• The hardest treatment for a dislocated shoulder is popping the shoulder joint back into place. This process will be painful, but the pain should quickly subside to a dull throb and allow the doctor to assess what other steps will be needed for a full recovery.


• One of the first treatments for a dislocated shoulder, even before seeing a doctor, is to ice the area for several days. Ice the area for at least 30 minutes with approximately 3-4 hours in between.


• To prevent further damage to the shoulder joint, use a sling to inhibit mobility and prevent you from using that arm.


• Use a painkiller, such as ibuprofen, to reduce the pain and swelling. These should not be used for an extended period of time, unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the side effects of bleeding and Ulcers.


• Begin using specifics strength training and stretching exercises to improve your shoulder’s mobility and discourage any additional dislocated shoulders.


• Some dislocated Shoulder Injuries may require surgery to repair a ligament or to reposition the bones. The severity will determine the length of your recovery, which is generally between 3 weeks to 3 months.

Arm and Shoulder Exercises
In the weeks immediately following the injury, you will want to refrain from using the injured arm and allow it to heal for at least two to three weeks, unless otherwise specified by a doctor. This should be enough time for the soft tissue to begin to repair, at which point a physiotherapist will work with you and your specific injury to determine which exercises would be best. These exercises will be designed to relieve the pain, return the shoulder muscles’ strength, and reduce the stiffness from the muscles not being used for a while.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the above treatments should help, but may not completely heal your shoulder. For some, healing may only take a few weeks and for others, healing may take several months until they have regained full strength. Most can resume normal daily activities after two weeks, but any heavy lifting or impact sports should be avoided for one to six months, depending on what the orthopedic surgeon advises.

Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated Shoulder






Shoulder dislocation is one of the most common dislocated joints of the body. The upper arm bone of the body creeps out of the socket causing intense pain and fracture. The shoulder joint is the highly movable joint in the body making it more vulnerable to dislocate than other joints. More than 20% of the dislocated shoulder would cause fracture. Dislocated shoulder can cause swelling and pain making the joint immobile. Treatment is given in the form of closed reduction, surgery rehabilitation and complete immobilization of the joint. Once the shoulder joint gets dislocated there is every chance for repeated dislocation which can be prevented by using a regular sling.

Causes :

Shoulder joint being the most flexible joint in the body is prone to repeated movements in many directions. This movement would make the joint gradually unstable leading to dislocation. Dislocation of shoulder can occur if the head portion of the humerus gets out of its socket. Since shoulder joint moves in many directions dislocation can happen at any point. More than 90% of dislocated shoulder is of anterior type indicating that the humerus head has come out of its socket in front portion. In rare cases the head moves backward from the joint.

Inferior dislocation is described as luxatio erecta and in case the humerus head dislocates getting stuck between the ribs it is known as intrathoracic dislocation. Young children and adolescents often develop a dislocated shoulder due to fall or injury. Adults and older people may get dislocation due to wear and tear of ligaments. Sports persons who throw a ball or hit it with head in high position and elbow bent fully may develop anterior dislocation if external force is applied on the bent elbow. Here the shoulder moves away from the body. Posterior dislocation can occur due to electrical injury or seizures.

Symptoms :

Dislocated shoulder may show signs like intense pain over shoulder, swelling and deformed shoulder. Many people with dislocation may not be able to move the joint completely. Mild forms of dislocation can cause weakness or tingling sensation in the neck or arm. Some people may have nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and extreme tiredness.

Tests :

It is easy to detect dislocated shoulder during physical examination. Your doctor would confirm his diagnosis by X-ray report. To know the extent of damage or injury to the shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging test may be done.

Treatment :

Closed reduction is the first line therapy for dislocated shoulder. In this procedure, your doctor will give you a shot of muscle relaxant and gently move the shoulder bones to its normal position. The person can get quick relief from Shoulder Pain in this method. Surgery is the option for people with weak joint and ligaments on their shoulder. This is the only choice for people with recurrent dislocation and falls. After the surgery the patient should stay in the hospital for few days until the joint has gained enough strength.

For some people special device like splint is kept on the dislocated shoulder which helps in complete immobilization of the joint. Patient should follow the instructions of the doctor in wearing the splint or sling for recommended period. In both the case of surgery and fixing of sling muscle relaxant would be prescribed for quick healing of the joint. It is very much essential for the patient to refrain from any activity until the joint heals completely failing which recurrent dislocations can occur.

Follow Up Care :

The person should make up with his/her appointment with the surgeon after the process of closed reduction or surgery. He may order for few more X-rays to check the position of the joint again.

Complications :

Dislocated shoulder can also be accompanied with fractures. There is a chance for nerve damage injuring the auxillary nerve.

Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Dislocated Shoulder :

Lifestyle Changes :

Follow the instructions of your surgeon/doctor to take complete rest. Do not life objects or make any vigorous movements of your shoulder joint. Apply ice packs on the shoulder joint will reduce pain and help in healing swelling. Heat therapy can also be effective in managing pain. After the surgery and rehabilitation, one should do gentle exercises with the help of therapist to reduce stiffness of joints.

Tips for Prevention :

• Shoulder dislocation can be prevented by taking little extra care while lifting heavy objects or playing sports. It is wise to wear shoulder gear while playing games repeatedly.


• Children should be taught to take caution while playing to avoid falls.


• Regular exercises can help in maintaining flexibility of joints.


• A person having dislocated shoulder is at risk of future dislocations. Hence one should do stability exercises regularly to prevent such future episodes.