Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder Joint

The shoulder joint is the most mobile and flexible part of the body. It can turn in many directions without causing any discomfort, and since it is a flexible joint, it sometimes automatically puts the shoulder in a vulnerable position.

What happens in shoulder dislocation?

Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The ball (the round top of your arm bone) fits into the groove in your shoulder blade called the socket.

In the case of shoulder dislocation, the entire ball is moved away from the socket. If the dislocation is partial, then only a part of the ball is out of your socket. This is termed ‘shoulder subluxation.’

Types of shoulder dislocation

• Anterior (forward): This is the type of dislocation in which the head of the bones is moved forward i.e. away from the socket. This is one of the most common types of dislocation and the reason this happens is when your arm is extended.
• Posterior (behind): This type of dislocation occurs when the head of the arm moves behind and above the socket. This usually occurs in patients having frequent seizures.
• Inferior (bottom): The head of the arm bone is pushed down and out of the socket toward the armpit. This is the least common type of dislocation.

Causes

A dislocated shoulder may be the result of an unbalanced impact on the joint. It may happen as a result of a sports injury, fall, or by experiencing a harsh hit to the affected area. Once your shoulder joint dislocates, it’s more likely to dislocate again in the future.

Symptoms

• Deformity
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Bruising
• Muscle spasms
• Redness
• Tingling or weakness in the arm
• Difficulty moving arms

Diagnosis

During a physical examination, the doctor will examine the affected area for swelling, tenderness, and pain. He might recommend an X-ray of your shoulder to assess if there are any broken bones or any other damage in your shoulder joint.

Treatment

The initial level of treatment for any dislocation would be R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Following this treatment, the dislocated joint would get back to its normal state. In case your joint doesn’t turn back to its normal state, your doctor may use one of the following treatment options:

Repositioning: This would be painful, your doctor will replace back the dislocated joint, and before doing so, you would require a good dose of anesthesia.

Immobilization: Your doctor might ask you to wear a splint or cast for several weeks to retain the replaced joint in its position. This will help prevent the joint from stress and strain due to movements. Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor would keep your joint immobile.

Medication: After your joint returns to normal, most of the pain must vanish away. However, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or a muscle relaxant if you still experience pain.

Surgery: Your doctor would recommend you for shoulder dislocation surgery if there is any evidence of nerve damage or blood vessel damage, or if your doctor is unable to replace back your dislocated joint.

Shoulder Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat shoulder injuries. Shoulder arthroscopy is performed with small incisions (keyhole technique) through which a surgeon inserts a camera that projects images of your shoulder onto a screen for viewing. With this technique, the surgeon has a clear view of the damaged tissues and can make an incision as necessary to enable treatment.

Your surgeon uses a small camera called an arthroscope to see inside your shoulder. This allows your surgeon to use tiny instruments to restore the mobility of your shoulder.

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation helps in dislocated shoulder recovery. After repositioning you’re joint to normal, or after removing the cast or splint, your doctors will advise a rehabilitation plan that is appropriate for you. The main aim of rehabilitation is to improve the joint’s strength and restore its range of motion.