| The shoulder joint is your
body's most mobile joint. It can turn in many directions,
but this advantage also makes your shoulder joint easy to
dislocate. A partial dislocation (subluxation) means the
head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is partially out of
the socket (glenoid). A complete dislocation means it's all
the way out. Both partial and complete dislocation cause
pain and unsteadiness in your shoulder. Your muscles may
have spasms from the disruption, and this can make it hurt
more. When your shoulder dislocates time and again, you
have shoulder instability.
Symptoms to look for include swelling,
numbness, weakness and bruising. Often times dislocation
may tear ligaments or tendons in your shoulder. In young
patients this usually includes the
labrum,
while in patients over 45 this can cause a
rotator cuff tear.
Once in awhile, the dislocation may damage your nerves.
Your shoulder joint can dislocate
forward, backward or downward. A common type of shoulder
dislocation is when your shoulder slips forward (anterior
instability). This means your upper arm bone moved forward
and down out of its joint. It may happen when you put your
arm in a throwing position.
Your doctor will examine your shoulder
and may order an X-ray. It's important for you to tell your
doctor how it happened. Was it an injury? Have you ever
dislocated your shoulder before? Your doctor will place the
ball of the upper arm bone (humerus) back into the joint
socket. This process is called closed reduction. Your
severe pain stops almost immediately once your shoulder
joint is back in place.
Rest and rehabilitation
Your doctor may immobilize your shoulder
in a sling or other device for several weeks following
treatment. You should get plenty of rest and ice the sore
area 3-4 times a day. After the pain and swelling go down,
your doctor will prescribe rehabilitation exercises for
you. These help restore your shoulder's range of motion and
strengthen your muscles. Rehab may also help you prevent
dislocating your shoulder again in the future. You begin by
doing gentle muscle toning exercises. Later, you can work
up to using weights.
If your shoulder dislocation becomes a
chronic condition, a brace can sometimes help. However, if
therapy and bracing fail, then you may need surgery to
repair or tighten torn or stretched ligaments, which help
hold the joint in place. |
