Dislocated Shoulder
What is a dislocated shoulder?
Dislocating your shoulder is where the ball of the shoulder joint pops out of the shoulder socket. It is one of the most common sporting injuries sustained in contact sports such as rugby. The dislocation can either be an anterior or posterior dislocation where the arm appears out of position either pointing forwards or backwards.
What causes shoulder dislocation?
Contact sports and hitting your shoulder hard against a solid object can dislocate the shoulder.
Usually when the shoulder dislocates, the top of the humerus shifts and sits in front of the shoulder blade, called an anterior dislocation.
What are the symptoms?
If the arm does not appear to be out of place and the dislocation is obvious, then other symptoms include the sudden onset of acute shoulder pain, a loss of sensation or feeling on the outside of the shoulder (this symptom could indicate possible damage to the auxiliary nerve), swelling, numbness, weakness and bruising.
What treatment can be done for shoulder dislocation?
Medical treatment must be sought immediately for dislocations. Do not attempt to do anything yourself as if the shoulder is put back into the socket incorrectly then this may result in severe damage to the shoulder and possible permanent nerve damage.
Doctors treat dislocated shoulders by manipulating the shoulder back into place. This is usually followed up with an x-ray to ensure the shoulder has been put back into place properly, and no other bones were fractured around the shoulder as a result of the manipulation.
The arm should then be put in a sling and you should not use your arm for several weeks while it recovers.
A rehabilitation programme to exercise and restore the range of motion to the shoulder and strengthen the muscles is integral. They will also help to prevent future dislocations.
It is important to keep the range of movements in the elbow wrist and hand therefore gentle mobilisation of these areas should happen, progressing to small extension, flexion and rotation of the shoulder, depending on how painful the shoulder is.
Rehabilitation Treatment
After the shoulder has been rested you can enhance mobilisation and strength in that area through:
- Physiotherapy
- Soft-tissue massage.