Shoulder Dislocation Symptoms and Treatment

Shoulder dislocation is a common shoulder injury that causes severe painful and limited movement. This injury is common in athletes and may also result from a fall or other trauma to the joint. Since the shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint, it is at risk to dislocate easily, especially as a repeat injury.

There are two different types of shoulder dislocation –
• A partial dislocation, or subluxation, occurs when the top of the humerus bone is partly out of the socket
• A complete dislocation occurs when the bone comes completely out of the socket.

The shoulder can dislocate downward, backward or forward.

Here are the symptoms that indicate shoulder dislocation. If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, you should make a trip to an experienced orthopedic surgeon.

• Pain in and around the shoulder joint
• Swelling around the shoulder area
• Stiffness in the shoulder joint
• Weakness in the shoulder joint
• Numbness in the shoulder
• Bruising on the skin in the shoulder region
• Instability of the shoulder

An orthopedic surgeon will order an X-ray as well as take history and a thorough physical exam to make an accurate diagnosis.

After a shoulder dislocation, the damage to the shoulder means a higher chance of further shoulder dislocations. Each dislocation increases the chance of developing osteoarthritis and results in more bone loss. Whether your shoulder dislocation is a first-time occurrence or a repeat injury, you need to have it treated immediately.

Your orthopedic surgeon will be able to put the joint back into place and provide immediate relief. This process is known as a closed reduction. Following a closed reduction, you may be asked to keep your shoulder immobilized for a period of 3 – 6 weeks, which involves placing the injured arm in a sling or in another immobilizing device. This is followed by physical therapy. Physical therapy and exercises can help in strengthening the joint as well as prevent future or re-injury.

The force of the head of the humerus popping out of the socket usually causes part of the labrum, or cartilage running around the rim of the socket, to be torn off. This is called a Bankart lesion, or labral tear. If the dislocation is the result of a labral tear or detachment, a shoulder arthroscopy may be recommended. This is performed as an outpatient minimally invasive procedure, and should be performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Surgery is usually followed by a short period in a sling and physical therapy.

To learn more about surgical shoulder treatments, call the top shoulder surgeon in Phoenix AZ, call Phoenix Shoulder and Knee at 480-219-3342. Dr. Adam Farber is a Fellowship Trained, Board Certified Phoenix and Scottsdale orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine.

Phoenix Shoulder & Knee
1215 W Rio Salado Parkway
Suite 105, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 219-3342

This release was published on openPR.