A shoulder dislocation is an injury that occurs when the top of the arm bone (humerus) loses contact with the socket of the shoulder (scapula). Your shoulders have the greatest range of motion of any joint in your body and are your most mobile joints. While this range of motion is a benefit, it comes with particular susceptibility to dislocation and injury.
Symptoms
- Deformity
- Swelling and Bruising
- Numbness, tingling
- Weakness in your arm, hand, or fingers
- An audible “pop” or “crack” in the shoulder joint area
- Severe pain in or around the shoulder and inability
First time shoulder dislocations are recommended to be seen by an orthopedic doctor. Many times there may by ligamentous or tendon damage and or possible damage to the nerves.
Causes
- Throwing
- Injury/Trauma
Diagnosis
A physical exam will be performed by an orthopaedic doctor. An X-ray and MRI will most likely be ordered to determine the extent of the injury. It is important that the patient is able to recount how the dislocation occurred and whether it has happened prior.
There are different types of shoulder dislocations:
- Anterior: Most common type of shoulder dislocation which occurs when the shoulder slips forward.
- Posterior
- Inferior
Treatment
Non-surgical
- Closed Reduction
- Immobilization in a Sling for a couple weeks
- Physical Therapy
Surgical
- Recurrent dislocations may cause shoulder instability, if this becomes a problem and physical therapy has not helped surgery may be recommended to repair or tighten the torn/stretched ligaments.
- Bone transfer type of surgery may also be recommended if there has been damage to the humerus or shoulder socket.
