You can rotate your shoulder joint in many directions. This ability to move your shoulder makes your shoulder joint unstable and prone to easy dislocation.

When the head of your upper arm bone comes out of the shallow socket in your shoulder, you are said to have dislocated your shoulder. Unbearable pain and swelling are common with a dislocated shoulder. It may also look deformed and saggy.

Anatomy

Three major bones i.e. your upper arm bone, your shoulder blade bone, and your collarbone make up your shoulder.

Your upper arm bone is fitted into the shallow socket (glenoid) of your shoulder with the help of a network of muscles, tendons and a ligament system.

Explanation

You may dislocate your shoulder partially (when the head of the humerus comes out partially from the glenoid) or completely (when the head of the humerus comes out completely from the glenoid).

The head of your upper arm bone may come out from your socket in any direction. Depending on this, your shoulder dislocation maybe-

Anterior dislocation- This is the most common type of shoulder dislocation. In this type of dislocation, the head of your upper arm bone may come out on the front part of your shoulder.

Posterior dislocation- In this type of dislocation the head of your upper bone pops out towards the back part of your shoulder.

Inferior dislocation- When the head of your upper arm bone dislocates downwards, it is known as inferior dislocation.

Causes

You may dislocate your shoulder –

• If you are hit directly on your shoulder forcefully
• If you fall onto your shoulder on a hard surface
• If you twist your arm
• If you use your arm as a shield when you are falling
• If you are actively involved in sports like volleyball, basketball, rock-climbing, skiing or any other sports where your arm is used repeatedly

Symptoms

Most common signs you may feel with the dislocated shoulder are-

• Intense pain in your shoulder and your upper arm, more so when you try to move your arm
• Swelling over your shoulder
• Weakness in your arm
• A deformed bump either on the front or on the backside of your shoulder depending on the type of shoulder dislocations you have sustained.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose the condition of your dislocated shoulder with the help of an examination and some imaging tests.

Doctor’s examination- Your doctor will begin examining your dislocated shoulder by comparing it to your normal shoulder. He will notice the changes in the shape and strength of the dislocated shoulder. He may gently try to find the humeral ball by pressing over your shoulder region.

Imaging Tests- Your doctor may ask you to get some imaging tests done to confirm the dislocation in your shoulder. The tests may include-

X-ray- An x-ray provides a clear picture of the bone structure. Your doctor will observe the shoulder condition from the x-ray and look for any other broken bones or presence of injuries in it.

Treatment

It is essential to reposition your upper arm bone into the shallow shoulder socket immediately after you have dislocated your shoulder else your pain and swelling will not decrease. In most cases, your doctor will treat your dislocated shoulder with conservative techniques. But in some rare cases, you may have to undergo surgery.

Non-Surgical Treatment techniques

Your doctor will try to maneuver your dislocated shoulder with non-surgical techniques initially. These techniques include-

Medications- You may be given muscle relaxants to reduce your unbearable pain and gently soothe your tensed muscles. It becomes easy for your doctor to perform a closed reduction technique thereafter.

Closed Reduction- Gently your doctor will try to position the displaced ball of your upper arm bone back into its place i.e. inside the shallow socket.

Pain Relievers- After closed reduction, some of your pain and swelling will subside. Your doctor may prescribe you some pain-relieving anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medicines to relieve you of the remaining pin.

Immobilization of Shoulder- Your doctor may immobilize your shoulder for a specific period depending on the nature of your shoulder dislocation. Your shoulder may be held under a sling or a special splint until your doctor considers fit.

Therapy Exercises- Your shoulder and arm may feel stiff after repositioning. Your doctor may recommend some strengthening exercises to improve the instability in your shoulder.

Surgical Treatment Techniques

If the pain in your shoulder persists even after closed reduction or you have sustained a severe injury or tear in your nerves, blood vessels or ligaments your surgeon may repair the torn tissues with surgical intervention.

It may be carried out with an invasive out-patient technique called arthroscopy.