Are you eager to learn how to recognise a dislocated shoulder? Do you want to know its treatment and recovery time? You are in the right place!
In this article, I summarise the key findings from international scientific literature on causes ,treatment and recovery tips on dislocated shoulders.
Happy reading!😀
(Any questions? Let’s meet in the comments!).Wishing you a quick recovery!
Last updated: May 2024. Written by Juliet Semakula a diagnostic radiographer.
Disclaimer: no affiliate links.
▶️Is a dislocated shoulder a big deal?
Yes, a dislocated shoulder can be a big deal when not treated, when you think you have dislocated one, please do seek medical help as soon as possible.
In this article focus will be on dislocations where the shoulder has moved out of joint with no surrounding fractures.
Before delving into causes and treatment of a dislocated shoulder, let’s briefly review some anatomy. (Truly just a tiny bit, I promise.)
A bit of anatomy
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint surrounded by ligaments and tendons and other bones that are likely to be injured in the process of a dislocation.
- Glenoid labrum – When the shoulder dislocates the ligaments are stretched, and the labrum (cartilage disc in the shoulder) could tear. This can result in a stable shoulder to frequently dislocate.
- Humeral head– this has a cuff of tendons known as rotator cuff attached around it from the muscles.-repair can be performed either by open surgery or arthroscopic means (there is evidence that patients return to work more quickly following arthroscopic repair, although function can take 6 months (willmott 2016)
- Shoulder joint capsule -this resists subluxatory movements
Investigation of all these will require x-ray, CT and MRI in order to evaluate bone loss, a fracture or a labrum tear before a doctor recommends treatment.
Because of the shallow socket and complete humeral head, the shoulder has an impressive range of movement. Therefore, the shoulder is relatively unstable and is capable of subluxation and dislocation. (Mooney,2008)
This becomes a big deal If the shoulder dislocates more than once then surgery is often advised. The type of surgery necessary will depend on the number of dislocations or the type of injury.
So, if you feel your shoulder has popped out of joint Do not move your upper arm after a shoulder dislocation! And do not try to put your arm back yourself.
You may have heard or even seen people in movies popping a dislocated shoulder back in by themselves. Although it can work in theory, you risk doing more harm than good. While there are some ways to pop the humerus back into its socket, you shouldn’t try it unless you’re sure you know what you’re doing.
▶️Causes and symptoms of a dislocated shoulder.
⚫Usually shoulder dislocation occurs from a fall or as an injury during sports.
⚫ On occasion, sometimes simply rolling over in bed can cause your shoulder to dislocate if you were born with loose ligaments.
There is a small group of patients who lose the normal coordinated action of the muscle around the shoulder.it could be genetic (willmott 2016)
The different types of shoulder dislocations are classified in the table below:
| Anterior (forward) | The head of the arm bone is moved forward, in front of the glenoid) |
| Posterior (behind) | The head of the arm bone is moved behind & above the socket |
| Inferior (bottom) | The head of arm is pushed down |
The most common type being anterior dislocation as shown in the image below.
Signs of a dislocated shoulder.
⚫You experience very intense pain straight after the injury.
⚫You will find it difficult to move your arm and you may notice deformity at the site of injury.
⚫You will feel swelling and bruising at the site.
▶️What are treatment options available after a dislocated shoulder with no fracture?
X-rays will be the first line of investigation before a treatment plan.
In case you do not need surgery or further imaging like MRI or joint injections. Treatment will depend on the type of injury you have got.
A dislocated shoulder with no fracture, a doctor will rotate your arm back into place of course with sedative or local anaesthetic so you do not feel pain.
Post x-rays will be done at this point to check if the shoulder is back in the position as in the picture below.
Shoulder popped back in the joint.
Once your shoulder is back in joint your doctor will give you rehabilitation guidelines to help with your full recovery.
Here I will provide an overview of the typical healing times after your shoulder has been popped back into the glenoid (joint) where no surgery or further treatment is needed.
You will gain more insights and likely feel a bit more reassured during this recovery period!
What to expect during the first few weeks after your shoulder has been popped back into the glenoid joint.
Now stop googling and start focusing on healing and rehabilitation of your dislocated shoulder.🥳
🔵You will be given a sling to help support your arm for 6 weeks. They are so many types of slings on the market but make sure you feel comfortable with the one you choose to buy.
🔵Once you have been allowed to remove the sling by the doctor and you feel ready to commence activities, treatment can move to the long-term rehabilitation phase.
The good news is your shoulder can recover fully and there are home remedies that can help prevent another dislocation.
Lifestyle and home remedies after your shoulder has been put back in the joint.
⏺️Rest the shoulder!
⏺️Apply ice then heat!
⏺️Take pain relievers prescribed by your doctor!
Rehabilitation will be based on your needs, you will be anxious to resume your daily tasks. Ideally ,the occupational therapist should become involved: mooney & claire 2006)
▶️Recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
What do we mean by recovering, for more clarification 💁
Are we talking about when all the potential injuries associated with ligaments, tendons and nerves surrounding the shoulder are healed?
Or how long it takes for the bone segments to be correctly aligned back in the joint.
Recovery will depend on the type of injury you have had: based on scientific publications: It will take.
▶️ 12 weeks to recover from a dislocated shoulder depending on your injury.
▶️ 16 weeks to fully return to playing some sports though some recovery may take longer.
⚡Caution ! If your injuries are associated with rotator cuff tear, a fracture, nerve or any other part of the shoulder. It will take longer to heal.
▶️Your healing will also depend on your overall health, age ,and genetic factors.
A physiotherapist can recommend some regular shoulder exercises to help you reduce pain and stiffness.
The course of physiotherapy can take 4 to 12 weeks. This can be different for each patient depending on the nature of injury, age and treatment recommended by your doctor.
▶️While my shoulder dislocates again?
Yes! Once you dislocate a shoulder there’s an increased risk it could happen again. Repeatedly dislocated shoulders can result in chronic instability.
The risk depends on your age and how well your shoulder joint healed. You may be offered a scan to check if your shoulder has been damaged. It’s important to follow any advice you’re given by your doctor.
The hospital may recommend regular physiotherapy appointments to help make your shoulder muscles stronger and reduce the risk of dislocating your shoulder again.
▶️When can I drive after dislocating my shoulder?
After a shoulder dislocation I have had so many questions about driving. For example 🚘Can you drive with a sling on or how long can you wait!
You must be able to judge when it is not safe for you to drive after an injury. I have seen people disregard the advice given to them by their doctor after the procedure and drive. This means breaking the law and you may not be covered by your insurance.
First you must have the ability to drive in a safe environment because there are laws that regulate driving after surgery of any type.
Here in the United Kingdom ‘‘You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.’’
If you are reading this from another country, please check with your Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Centre and your insurers and act accordingly.
Provided your arm is out of the sling and you feel confident in safely controlling your vehicle. No pain and all the ligaments have healed.it is ok to drive.
DO NOT! Attempt to drive with a sling because it can be very dangerous.
These simple exercises recommended by the NHS will prevent stiffness and help with your recovery.
Start these exercises straight away. Hand, wrist, and elbow exercises are only needed while you are wearing a sling.
You can stop these once they become easy and you have full movement. Try to do these exercises every hour. If this is too painful, start with 3-4 times a day. Repeat each exercise 10 times.
Hand and wrist exercise:
🟢Open and close your hand. Next, move your wrist up and down.
🟢 After a few days, hold a softball/ball of socks. Squeeze the ball as hard as possible without pain. Hold for 5 seconds.
🟢To avoid shoulder stiffness, some gentle exercise of the shoulder are recommended after 1 to 2 days. Only when the pain of the shoulder starts to improve.
You should try to do these exercises three to four times a day. Unless told otherwise by your doctor. Advice after a shoulder fracture (ruh.nhs.uk)
Repeat these ten times each:
⭐ Stand and lean forward supporting yourself.
⭐with your other hand. Try to relax your injured arm and let it hang down.
⭐Swing your arm slowly and gently forwards and backwards.
⭐Swing your arm slowly and gently side to side.
⭐Swing your arm slowly and gently in circles clockwise.
Continue for approximately 1-2 minutes in total provided there is no increase in symptoms. Remember to try and relax your arm.
Shoulder shrugs
⭐Sit or stand. Shrug your shoulders up and down, and then roll your shoulders forwards and backwards. Repeat 2-5 times.
⭐Bend your elbow as far as you can, hold for 5-10 seconds, then straighten your elbow as far as you can for 5-10 seconds and hold.
⭐Separate and straighten your fingers. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Bend your fingers at the knuckles. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Make a fist. Hold for 5-10 seconds
⭐Tilt your head toward one shoulder until you feel the stretch on the opposite side. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat to the other side
⭐Turn your head to one side until you feel a stretch. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat to the other side.
In this article I have given you a brief overview of a dislocated shoulder with no major injury. I wish you a quick recovery.🙋
I hope I have answered a few of your frequently asked questions. There is a lot of information about shoulder injuries. Below are some of the articles I have relied on to write this article.
📚Sources:
Duckworth, T., Blundell, C. M. (2010). Orthopaedics and Fractures. United Kingdom: Wiley.
Ronald M, M., Esser, (2008).Practical Fracture Treatment
5th Edition :USA, ISBN: 9780443068768
Mooney, M., C. Ireson. (2009).Occupational Therapy in Orthopaedics and Trauma.
Willmott, H.,(2015). A Trauma and Orthopaedics at a Glance. Paperback.
Advice after a shoulder fracture (ruh.nhs.uk)
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/shoulder-pain/management/instability-disorders
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dislocated-shoulder
https://www.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets/e2-midshaft-ulna-or-radial-shaft-fracture