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Shoulder Dislocation
Medical Questions » Shoulder Dislocation
| Name: Shoulder Dislocation |
| Also known as: |
| Disruption of the joint between the scapula (shoulder blade) and humerus (upper arm bone). The shoulder is a ball and socket joint, but the socket is very shallow to allow maximum movement. A cuff of muscles and ligaments surrounds the joint to keep it in position. This joint can move through a greater range than any other, but as a result is relatively unstable, and it is the most commonly dislocated major joint. |
Causes of Shoulder Dislocation
If excessive force is applied to the shoulder joint, it may dislocate forwards, or less commonly, backwards. |
Symptoms of Shoulder Dislocation
Patients experience severe pain, do not like the shoulder joint to be moved, and often hold the elbow of the affected arm at right angles and against their side with the other hand. |
Tests for Shoulder Dislocation
Diagnosed by X-rays. |
Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation
The dislocated shoulder can be put back into place by one of a number of different techniques, often with little or no anesthetic if treated immediately, or after giving pain-killing injections or a brief general anesthetic if there is any delay. After treatment the arm is kept in a sling for a month.
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Complications of Shoulder Dislocation of its treatment
Any shoulder dislocation is associated with tearing and damage to the surrounding muscles and ligaments of the rotators cuff and joint capsule. A dislocation may be associated with a fracture. Recurrent shoulder dislocations may occur by merely picking up a heavy object or raising the arm and these patients require an operation (the Putti-Platt procedure) to repair the damaged tissues and prevent further dislocations. |
Likely Outcome of Shoulder Dislocation
Good after one dislocation, but after further dislocations surgery is advisable, and is usually very successful. |
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