Shoulder joint dislocation

Dislocation of the shoulder joint means moving the humerus (arm bone) out of the shoulder joint cavity. It is usually due to a strong blow to the joint, such as a fall, or a strong and rapid jolt of the arm. If you experience severe pain after a shock, squat, or fall over your shoulder joint and are unable to lift your hand to the side, it is a good idea to see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms of a dislocated shoulder

Dislocation of the shoulder joint causes severe pain and difficulty in raising the arm, which begins immediately after a blow to the shoulder or a sprain of the arm. In addition, a pit may form at the shoulder joint.

Dislocation of the shoulder joint always requires a visit to the doctor’s office. Basic examination by a doctor includes palpation of the shoulder joint and examination of the arm’s range of motion. At the same time, the condition of the upper limb nervous system and blood vessels is also examined. Usually, an X-ray is also needed, which also shows possible dislocations in the shoulder joint.

Treatment of a dislocated shoulder

Treatment begins with putting the dislocated shoulder back into place. Before the procedure, your doctor will give you an analgesic or anesthetize your shoulder joint.

Once the humerus is in place, the upper arm is supported for 3 weeks with an arm support sling. Turning of the upper arm outwards should be avoided for 6 weeks after the event. This is followed by a rehabilitation phase, in which active exercise training should be done to restore the movements of the shoulder joint and to prevent recurrence of dislocation. Instructions for rehabilitation and training can be obtained from a physiotherapist.

Sometimes dislocations may also require surgery – especially if there is considerable looseness in the shoulder joint.

Prevention of shoulder joint dislocation

Dislocation of the shoulder joint is usually due to a fall and the associated distortion of the shoulder joint. In the elderly, the injury may occur from impaired balance or dizziness. In this case, you can try to prevent falls with muscle fitness and balance exercises, which are instructed by physiotherapists and exercise instructors.

If a patient has a history of multiple shoulder joint dislocations, shoulder joint muscle training will play a very important role in preventing future dislocations. To do this, you should ask your physiotherapist for good, individual training instructions.

If the training does not work and the shoulder joint is very loose, surgery may be necessary to prevent further dislocation.

David Shoulder Reference Centers

David is the largest supplier of medical shoulder equipment with more than 100 intelligent installations worldwide. At these locations, certified physiotherapists are trained to guide people with shoulder dislocation complaints using medical Exercise Therapy guidelines. Visit our reference page for more information about a shoulder center in your own country/area.

an overview:

Shoulder joint dislocation