Everything you should know about Shoulder Dislocation

What is a dislocated shoulder?

When the upper arm pops out from the ball socket of the shoulder joint, the condition is known as a dislocated shoulder. The shoulder is made up of three different types of bones; the shoulder blade, the collarbone, and the upper arm bone. The bone looks like a round ball, situated at the top of the upper bone, known as the humerus, and typically fits into a cup-like socket in the shoulder blade. A dislocated shoulder commonly occurs when the humerus shifts from its original position. The dislocation of the ball can either be partial or completely out of the socket. When the dislocation of the shoulder is partial, that means only a part of the upper bone is out of the socket. On the other hand, if the shoulder dislocation is major or complete, that means the ball is completely out of the socket. 

Different Types of Shoulder Dislocation

• Posterior shoulder dislocation
• Anterior shoulder dislocation
• Inferior shoulder dislocation

Causes of Shoulder Dislocation

• Accidents
• A blow to the shoulder
• Seizures and electric shock
• Falling on an outstretched arm
• Sport injuries

Symptoms of a Dislocated Shoulder

• Severe shoulder pain
• Numbness or weakness in your arm, neck, hand, or fingers
• Muscle spasms in your shoulder
• Your arm seems to be out of balance
• Swelling and bruising of the shoulder or upper arm
• Instability of the shoulder and the back

Diagnosis for a dislocated shoulder

Self-Assessment

Shoulder dislocation injuries are very self-apparent, and most patients are immediately aware of them as soon as they happen. Complete shoulder dislocations are accompanied by a visibly deformed/out-of-place shoulder joint with a complete inability to use it.

Physical examination and diagnostic tests

First, the orthopedist will inspect the affected area for tenderness, swelling, deformity and nerve/blood vessel damage. Following this, they will prescribe imaging tests for an accurate diagnosis. Generally, MRI, X-Ray, and EMG (Electromyography) are prescribed for shoulder dislocation diagnosis.

Grades of Shoulder Joint Dislocation

Grade 1

Involves spraining of the joint with no damage to the ligaments connecting the shoulder blade and the collar bone.

Grade 2

A partial dislocation of the shoulder joint in which there may be some displacement that may not be obvious during a physical examination. 

Grade 3

A complete dislocation of the joint. The grade includes a rupture of the acromioclavicular (a joint at the top of the shoulder) and coracoclavicular ligaments.

Risk factors for Shoulder Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the shoulder pops out of the socket. The condition is usually painful and requires immediate medical assistance to place the ball back in its place.

A shoulder may get dislocated due to a traumatic event, some accident, or when the surrounding ligaments of the shoulder get stretched out too much. Some of the major factors are 

Continuous pressure on the shoulder joint

If you are an athlete and associated with sports that require repetitive movement of the shoulders, such as tennis, basketball, or swimming, you could be at risk of developing a dislocated shoulder. Repetitive shoulder movements can cause the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder to weaken and get stretched over time. Constant stress on the shoulders can make the joints less stabilized and highly prone to dislocation.

Hereditary

A dislocation in the shoulder may occur if you have innately loose (lax ligaments) in the body, including the shoulder. Lax ligaments might be inherited genetically and may fail to provide the necessary support to keep the shoulder ball in the socket. Laxity of the joints may be a serious risk factor for shoulder instability and dislocation.

Accidental fall

Traumatic events and accidents can cause a dislocated shoulder. Common examples of such traumatic events are – falling from a height, participating in contact sports, experiencing a seizure, etc. If you are associated with any of these sports, you are at risk of developing a shoulder dislocation.

Prevention

Prevention of shoulder injuries

Generally, shoulder dislocations are a result of trauma, so you can prevent them if you follow the given precautionary measures:

• Wear protective gear while playing contact sports like boxing, soccer, etc.
• Exercise regularly to maintain the strength and flexibility of your joints.
• Warm up properly before exercising, and do not push your body beyond its limits.

Myths & Facts About Shoulder Dislocation

Myth 1: A dislocated shoulder and a separated shoulder are the same things.

Fact 1: No, they are not. Although the two sound very similar to each other, they are two very different conditions. A shoulder dislocation is a condition in which the shoulder joint pops out of the socket. The condition can cause damage to the surrounding nerves and tissues. On the other hand, a separated shoulder does not hurt the shoulder joint but the shoulder blade and the collarbone.

Myth 2: Shoulder dislocation is common among people of all age groups.

Fact 2: In reality, only 1-3 percent suffer from shoulder dislocation in their entire lifetime. In most cases, the condition occurs in men aged 25-35 years. Elderly women, and people involved in contact sports are prone to dislocating their shoulders, most often after falling. A shoulder dislocation should not be taken casually. The condition should be promptly treated by an experienced orthopedic specialist.

When to consult a doctor?

If you’ve recently suffered from a shoulder injury and you fear your joint may have been damaged or dislocated, you should consult an orthopedic doctor immediately. Prompt management of shoulder dislocation aids recovery and helps the patient prevent future instances of shoulder dislocation.

Questions to ask your doctor .

• What is the best line of treatment to fix my dislocated shoulder?
• What is the recovery period after shoulder dislocation treatment?
• Will I experience pain in my shoulder after surgery?
• Can I get back to sports or gym after my dislocated shoulder gets fixed after the surgery?
• Are there any long-term consequences of a shoulder dislocation?
• What is the success rate of the proposed treatment for shoulder dislocation?
• Can I talk to any other patients who you have treated for shoulder dislocation?
• Can you tell me about any similar cases of shoulder dislocation that you have treated to date?
• Will I need assistance at home during the recovery period?
• Will the condition get worse if I don’t undergo surgery?

Insurance cover for shoulder dislocation treatment

Shoulder dislocation injuries should be treated immediately once they happen to avoid permanent damage to the joints. Therefore, most major insurance providers cover treatment for a dislocated shoulder. If you are unsure about your health insurance policy coverage, you should get in touch with your policy provider for clarification.