Shoulder Dislocation
What is it?
The ball and socket joint of the shoulder is made up of the upper arm bone (Humerus) and the socket (Glenoid).
This joint is supported by many ligaments as well as surrounding muscles and soft tissue.
These injuries can occur after a trauma (rugby tackle or car accident) or sometimes even without trauma (reaching up or turning over in bed).
The most common direction of dislocation is forwards (anterior) but can also be backwards (posterior) or downward (inferior).
The joint might relocate on its own or it may require assistance.
Typical Symptoms/features
- After trauma: there may be a visible deformity, pain, swelling
- Without trauma: general ache to the shoulder – these are more likely to relocate on their own and people with hypermobility are more prone to these types of injuries
Management
- Many of the traumatic shoulder dislocations will need to be relocated in A+E
- Activity modification
- After the dislocation, it may help to reduce your activity for a short amount of time to allow the pain to settle
- However, there is strong evidence that says keeping active and slowly returning to your normal levels of activity can actually help the pain to settle quicker.
- Ice or heat
- Pain relief
- Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme
Do I need imaging?
After a trauma: likely will require an X-ray to rule out any bony involvement.
Without trauma: This does not typically require further investigations.
