Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a shoulder dislocation?
- How common is shoulder dislocation?
- Symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of shoulder dislocation?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes shoulder dislocation?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for shoulder dislocation?
- Medicines & Medicines
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for shoulder dislocation?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat shoulder dislocation?
Definition
What is a shoulder dislocation?
Shoulder dislocation is when the ball joint of the upper arm pops out of the shoulder socket. The shoulder is the body's most mobile joint, making it the most susceptible to dislocation.
How common is shoulder dislocation?
This condition can occur in patients of any age. This condition can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of shoulder dislocation?
Common symptoms of this condition are:
- Visible shoulders that are deformed or out of place
- Swelling or bruising
- Intense pain
- Cannot move the joint
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arm, hand or hand
This condition can also cause numbness, weakness or numbness around the injured area, such as the neck or arms. The muscles in the shoulder may spasm from the disturbance, often increasing the intensity of the pain.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
If you think you have a shoulder dislocation, seek medical attention immediately.
Cause
What causes shoulder dislocation?
The shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body. Because the joint moves in multiple directions, your shoulder can be dislocated forward, backward or downward, completely or partially, although most dislocations occur on the front of the shoulder. In addition, the fibrous tissue that attaches the bones to the shoulder can be pulled or torn, worsening the dislocation.
It takes a lot of force, such as a sudden blow to the shoulder so that the bone can slide out of place. Extreme rotation of the shoulder joint can throw the ball of the upper armbone out of the shoulder socket. Partial dislocation - where the upper arm bones are partly inside and partly outside the shoulder socket - can also occur.
This condition can be caused by:
- Sports injuries: changes in shoulder position are common in contact sports, such as football and hockey, and in sports where falls can occur, such as skiing, gymnastics and volleyball.
- Trauma not related to sports: hard impact to the shoulder during motor vehicle accidents is a common cause of dislocations.
- Fall: a change in shoulder position can occur as a result of a fall, such as from a ladder or a slip.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for shoulder dislocation?
Men in their teens or around 20s, the group that tends to be physically active, are at the highest risk of this condition. Also, if you have a history of dislocations, you are likely to experience them again.
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is this condition diagnosed?
During a physical exam, your doctor will check the area for pain, swelling and changes in position. It is important that the doctor knows how the dislocation occurs and whether the shoulder has been dislocated before. The doctor will examine the shoulder and can perform an X-ray. X-rays of the shoulder joint will show dislocations and show broken bones or damage to the shoulder joint.
What are the treatments for shoulder dislocation?
Treatment for this condition can include:
Closed reduction: the doctor can perform some fine maneuvers to help put the shoulder blade back into position. Depending on the level of pain and swelling, you may need a muscle relaxant or sedative, or rarely, general anesthesia prior to manipulation of your shoulder blades. When your shoulder blades are back in position, the pain should get better immediately.
Operation: You may need surgery if you have weak shoulder joints or ligaments and tend to have recurrent shoulder dislocations even with proper strengthening and rehabilitation. In rare cases, you may need surgery if nerves or blood vessels are affected.
Immobilization: The doctor may use a special splint or sling for a few days to 3 weeks to keep the shoulder from moving. How long you use the splint or sling depends on the condition of the shoulder dislocation and how quickly the splint is applied after the dislocation.
Drugs: Your doctor can give you a pain reliever or muscle relaxant to keep you comfortable as your shoulder heals.
Rehabilitation: After the shoulder splint or sling is removed, you will begin a rehabilitation program to restore movement, strength and stability to your shoulder joint.
If you have a simple shoulder location change without severe nerve or tissue damage, your shoulder joint will improve within a few weeks, but you are at risk of further dislocation. Resuming activities too early after the condition can cause injury to the shoulder joint and the dislocation to recur.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat shoulder dislocation?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with the condition:
- Rest your shoulder: don't repeat the specific action that caused the dislocation, and avoid painful movements. Limit lifting heavy objects and overhead activities until your shoulders improve.
- Put ice then heat: Putting ice on the shoulder helps reduce inflammation and pain. Use a cold pack, bag of frozen vegetables or a towel filled with ice cubes for 15-20 minutes. Do it every few hours in the first 1-2 days. After 2-3 days, when the pain and inflammation have improved, hot packs or heating pad can help relax tense muscles. Limit heat applications to 20 minutes at a time.
- Use pain relievers: Over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), can help relieve pain. Follow the directions on the label and stop using the drug when the pain improves.
- Maintain motion restriction on the shoulders: After 1-2 days, do some light exercise as directed by your doctor or therapist to maintain range of motion. Inactivity can cause stiff joints, and in the long run it can lead to frozen shoulder, a condition in which the shoulder becomes extremely stiff and immobilized. Once the injury clears up and you have a good range of motion in the shoulder, get back to sports. Shoulder stretches and shoulder strengthening and stability programs can help prevent the dislocation from returning. Your doctor or physical therapist can help you plan an appropriate exercise routine.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
