Shoulder Dislocation/Subluxation

Understanding Shoulder Injuries and Available Treatments

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment Near You in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the human body, able to turn easily in many directions. The structure that allows this mobility, however, makes the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate. Shoulder dislocation causes pain, reduced range of motion, and possible disability. Southlake Orthopaedics provides comprehensive shoulder care and treatments, including dislocation treatment, near you at locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, our services help patients achieve less pain, more living.

What Is a Shoulder Dislocation?

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone comes out of its socket. This separation can stretch or tear the surrounding soft tissue. Shoulder dislocations may be partial or complete. Shoulder subluxation is another term for a partial dislocation.

The shoulder is what physicians call a ball-and-socket joint. The rounded end of the upper arm bone, or humerus, sits inside a shallow dish-shaped structure. This design allows the shoulder to bend, twist, and rotate in all directions. The shoulder can move upward, downward, and to the front and back, to enable many of the motions that people perform as part of their daily activities. Though mobile, this structure is also easy to separate.

Shoulder Dislocation Symptoms

Most patients know that they have experienced a shoulder dislocation. Symptoms come on quickly and are often intense. The patient may experience:

Extreme pain
Weakness in the shoulder
Inability to move the arm
Visible deformity in the shoulder
Swelling, redness, or bruising
Muscle twitching or spasms
Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand

The severity of shoulder dislocation symptoms depends on how completely the bones are separated. Patients with partial dislocation or subluxation will experience pain, but they may still have limited use of their arm. Patients with a complete dislocation, meanwhile, may fully lose the ability to move their arm.

Shoulder Dislocation Causes and Risk Factors

Most shoulder dislocations happen due to a traumatic injury. In some cases, the shoulder was subjected to a strong force, such as a sudden blow, that pushed the bones out of place. In others, an extreme twisting movement popped the ball out of its socket. Common causes of injury include:

Falls
Motor vehicle accidents
Sports injuries

Anyone can dislocate their shoulder. Young athletic people, however, are more likely to dislocate their shoulders than others. This is because sports involvement exposes people to situations where shoulder dislocation might occur. Having had a previous dislocation can also increase a person’s risk of a second injury, as the first injury loosens the tendons and ligaments that hold the shoulder in place.

Diagnosing Shoulder Dislocations

Diagnosis is the first step toward relief for shoulder pain. Shoulder dislocation can typically be diagnosed with a physical examination alone. The physician will also review the patient’s medical history for previous injuries. Repeated dislocations may impact how the physician approaches treatment.

The physician may also request medical imaging to examine internal structures. Although the cause of the pain is already known, an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will provide more information about the soft tissue damage caused by the dislocation. Imaging can also be used to rule out other potential injuries, such as a bone fracture or rotator cuff tear, that may have occurred alongside the dislocation. A full understanding of the patient’s condition is necessary to plan the best treatment.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder dislocation is considered a medical emergency, and treatment should be provided as soon as possible. The standard non-surgical treatment is known as closed reduction. The physician applies a local anesthetic to numb the shoulder, then exerts pressure to push the shoulder joint back into position. Afterward, the shoulder is immobilized with a splint or sling to help it heal. Regular ice applications may be recommended to reduce inflammation. Surgery is recommended only for repeat dislocations.

After the pain has subsided, physical therapy is often recommended. The goal of physical therapy is to improve the range of motion and increase strength in the shoulder muscles. This helps to stabilize the shoulder joint, reducing the risk of additional dislocations.

Meet Our Team

Southlake Orthopaedics is a multi-specialty orthopedic practice serving patients throughout central Alabama with state-of-the-art sports medicine diagnoses, treatment, and rehabilitation. We are led by a multi-specialty team of board-certified physicians, including orthopedic physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and more, who make this high level of care possible. Meet our team below:

Michael Blum F., M.D.

George Robert Booker, M.D.

Michael T. Ellerbusch, M.D.

Richard L. “Beau” Grantier, M.D

Jonathan Isbell, M.D.

Dewey H. Jones, M.D.

Jonathon Whitehead, M.D.

Find Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation Near You in Alabama

Shoulder dislocations are common, but they don’t have to be debilitating. Southlake Orthopaedics provides less pain, more living near you in central Alabama, with offices in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview. Our multi-specialty team supports patients at every stage from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation to help them get back to the activities they love. Contact us to learn more about shoulder dislocation treatment or to schedule an appointment.