If you’re an athlete, you love playing your sport. But do you know the signs of shoulder dislocation and what to do if it happens? It’s best to be prepared, especially if you’re an active athlete.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeons with Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine treat many types of shoulder injuries, including shoulder dislocations.
It’s not surprising that shoulder dislocations occur with the most frequency among young, athletic males who ski or play contact sports. Older adults are also at risk because of falls. Motor vehicle accidents can also result in shoulder dislocations.
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. It becomes dislocated when your upper arm bone separates from or becomes loose in its socket. It could be partially dislocated, meaning part of it is out of the socket, or fully dislocated.
You’ll definitely know something is wrong when you have a shoulder dislocation. The following are common symptoms.
Your shoulder bone should always stay in its socket. If your arm suddenly twists forward, backward, or downward with extreme force, it can loosen or pop out of the socket. You’ll feel severe pain.
You won’t be able to move or rotate your arm if your shoulder becomes dislocated.
You may experience numbness or tingling that runs down your arm and into your hand if you have a shoulder dislocation.
When you look in the mirror with your shirt off, does your shoulder look different than the one on your other side? If so, your shoulder could be dislocated.
You’re likely to have swelling and bruising when your shoulder is dislocated.
What to Do if You Suspect a Dislocation
Call our office for treatment if you think your shoulder is dislocated. If you’re not in the area, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Keep your arm immobile. Use whatever material is available to create a sling to hold your arm still.
Don’t try to move your shoulder or pop it back into place. You’ll cause more damage to your soft tissue and nerves.
If you have access to ice, use an ice pack on the way to our office or the emergency room to help control swelling.
Our team decides on the best treatment for your shoulder dislocation.
We may provide a sling or brace for you to wear over the coming weeks as you heal, and we may prescribe muscle relaxants and pain medication.
We may decide to perform a closed reduction. You receive sedation depending on the severity of your pain and the type of dislocation. Then, we gently move the bones back into the correct position. You feel immediate relief. Your shoulder may also be immobilized while healing.
You may need arthroscopic surgery to repair soft tissue damage, such as a torn labrum or ligaments. If you’re an athlete who plans on continuing competitive play, we may recommend surgery to help prevent future dislocations.
Call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine or request an appointment through our online portal today if you think your shoulder may be dislocated.
