Pop goes the shoulder! Treatments for shoulder dislocation

The shoulder is the body's most mobile joint, which makes it susceptible to dislocation. A dislocated shoulder is an injury in which your upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of the shoulder blade. At the office of J. Turner Vosseller, MD, our team of orthopedists is skilled at the diagnosis and treatment of dislocated shoulders, helping to restore our patients to full activity again.

It takes a strong force, such as a sudden blow to your shoulder, to yank the bones out of place. Extreme rotation of your shoulder joint can also pop the ball of the upper arm bone out of the shoulder socket. It stands to reason, then, that most shoulder dislocations are caused by sports injuries, falls or trauma. 

The result? Pain that you’ll feel and a deformity you will see. There will also most likely be swelling and bruising, an inability to move the shoulder and a visibly distorted-looking shoulder. Dislocation may also cause numbness, weakness or tingling near the injury, such as in your neck or down your arm. The muscles in your shoulder may spasm from the disruption, often making you feel even more intense pain.

A dislocated shoulder should never be put back into place at home; always seek a medical professional for an evaluation and treatment. Your doctor may try some gentle maneuvers to help the shoulder bones back into their proper positions and may use a special splint or sling for a period of time to keep your shoulder from moving. Pain relievers may be prescribed, in addition to physical therapy after the splint is removed to restore range of motion, strength and stability to the joint. In some cases, you may need surgery if you have a weak shoulder joint or ligaments, or if you tend to have recurring shoulder dislocations despite proper strengthening and rehabilitation. 

Committed to bone health and strength

At the office of J. Turner Vosseller, MD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate orthopedic care. For more information on our office and the many services we provide, give us a call today.

By J. Turner Vosseller

March 25, 2021