Our Treatments

Shoulder Dislocation

The shoulder joint is one of the most used joints in the body and also the most commonly dislocated joints. A shoulder dislocation happens when the arm bone pops out of the socket shaped part of the shoulder blade. The dislocation may be either partial or complete dislocation.

It is always advisable to seek medical assistance as soon as possible, as it may damage your ligaments, blood vessels or nerves.

What Causes Shoulder Dislocation?

The shoulder can move in many directions and can dislocate either forward, backward or downward. The shoulder dislocation may be caused by:

Sports such as hockey and football
A sudden fall
A strong and a sudden hit to the shoulder
A sudden blow to the shoulder during vehicles accidents also trigger shoulder dislocation
Seizures and electric shocks can also cause shoulder dislocation as the muscles are contracted forcefully.

A shoulder dislocation is more common among youngsters as they often involve in sports or other physical activities. It is important to identify the cause of the dislocation before you go for medical assistance.

How to Identify a Shoulder Dislocation?

A shoulder dislocation can be easily identified. Some of the common symptoms include:

Bruising: The shoulder area may be swollen or bruised after an injury.
Redness: Redness or discolouration at the shoulder joint.
Mobility: A shoulder dislocation can cause decreased shoulder mobility or no movement at all.
Severe pain: You may experience acute and severe pain in the shoulder when the dislocation happens.
Numbness: A shoulder dislocation can cause numbness or weakness in arm, fingers, neck or hand.
Spasms: In a few cases, a dislocated shoulder can cause muscle spasms that can aggravate the pain.
Tingling: A shoulder dislocation can also cause tingling at the injured area.

If you have any symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention right away.

How to Treat a Dislocated Shoulder?

When you consult a doctor for medical assistance, he will review your medical history and examines your shoulder. The doctor may also ask you to get an X-ray before deciding the diagnosis. The doctors’ choice of choosing the diagnosis is based on the severity and cause of the dislocation.

The doctor may suggest rest, ice pack, compression if the pain is mild. In most cases, the pain disappears after this treatment. If the pain persists, the doctor may use any of the following treatment options:

The doctor will reposition the joint back into place. Medicine will be provided to relieve pain and relax your shoulder muscles.

sling may be suggested to prevent the shoulder joint from moving. This will help to heal the injured area.

If the pain still exists, the doctor prescribes a few medications to reduce pain and relax your muscles.

If the shoulder bones do not return to their normal position, surgery may be performed. A surgery is also performed if the dislocation damages nerves of blood vessels.