How to Know You Have a Dislocated Shoulder
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the body’s most flexible joint is the shoulder joint—making it prone to dislocations 23. When a shoulder is dislocated the upper arm bone pops out of the socket located in the shoulder blade, explains MayoClinic.com 1. The shoulder can dislocated forward, backward, downward and partially or completely 1. Medical attention is necessary; however, full recovery takes only a few weeks, according to the clinic. Once a person suffers from a dislocated shoulder, additional dislocations are more likely in the future 13.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Inspect the shoulder to confirm an injury. Look for bruising, swelling or deformity to the shoulder region. The shoulder will no longer appear round and smooth; it will appear very different from the opposite shoulder. Muscle spasms may be seen as well as felt.
How to Care for a Dislocated Shoulder
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Move your shoulder slightly, if possible. If you experience intense, sudden pain, you may have a dislocated shoulder 12. Immediately stop any movement to prevent further injury to the shoulder.
Listen for “popping” sound when the bone comes out of the socket immediately after the injury. A sound may not always be present, even if the shoulder is dislocated 1. It may be difficult to initially tell if the shoulder is fractured or if a dislocation is present, according to MayoClinic.com 1.
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Touch the injured area to identify any numbness. A pins and needles sensation may also take place due to a potentially dislocated shoulder 1. It's possible that there has been damage to nerves or blood vessels when numbness or loss of sensation is felt in the shoulder.
Receive an x-ray of the shoulder to rule out a bone fracture. Discuss with your doctor what activities were occurring before symptoms began. Talk about any previous shoulder injuries to assist in a proper medical diagnosis. Allow magnetic resonance imaging or electromyography tests to determine the extent of the shoulder injury.
Tips
According to Sports Injury Clinic, 95 percent of shoulder dislocations are anterior dislocations. The arm bone is forced forwards when the arm is held outwards and to the side. Apply ice to the area while waiting for medical attention. Ice decreases swelling and pain. Internal bleeding and fluids around the joint do not build up as rapidly when ice is applied. If there is a dislocated shoulder, the medical doctor will manually replace the shoulder into its socket. Once it is back in place, the pain immediately stops, according to the America Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Warnings
Never attempt to move the dislocated shoulder back into position. Avoid moving the suspected injured shoulder. Increased movement may further damage ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues in the area.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: Dislocated Shoulder
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Dislocated Shoulder
- MedlinePlus: Shoulder Injuries and Dislocations
- National Health Service UK. Dislocated shoulder. Updated January 21, 2020.
- American Red Cross. Wilderness and remote first aid: Emergency reference guide. Updated 2014.
- Abrams R, Akbarnia H. Shoulder dislocations overview. In: StatPearls. Updated August 29, 2020.
- Youm T, Takemoto R, Park BK. Acute management of shoulder dislocations. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2014;22(12):761-71. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-22-12-761
- Alkaduhimi H, van der Linde JA, Flipsen M, van Deurzen DF, van den Bekerom MP. A systematic and technical guide on how to reduce a shoulder dislocation. Turk J Emerg Med. 2016;16(4):155–168. doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2016.09.008
Writer Bio
Julie Hampton has worked as a professional freelance writer since 1999 for various newspapers and websites including "The Florida Sun" and "Pensacola News Journal." She served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic and nurse for over six years and recently worked as the Community Relations Director for a health center. Hampton studied journalism and communications at the University of West Florida.