Anatomy of the Shoulder
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. A ball at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits neatly into a socket, called the glenoid, which is part of the shoulder blade (scapula). The glenoid is surrounded by a ring of fibrous cartilage called the labrum for stabilization of the shoulder joint.
What is Shoulder Dislocation?
Sports that involve overhead movements and repeated use of the shoulder at your workplace may lead to sliding of the upper arm bone from the glenoid. The dislocation might be a partial dislocation (subluxation) or a complete dislocation causing pain and shoulder joint instability. The shoulder joint often dislocates in the forward direction (anterior instability), and sometimes in the backward or downward direction.
Symptoms of Shoulder Dislocation
The most common symptoms of shoulder dislocation include pain and shoulder joint instability. Other symptoms such as swelling, numbness and bruising may also occur. At times, it may cause tears in the ligaments or tendons of the shoulder and nerve damage.
Diagnosis of Shoulder Dislocation
Your doctor will examine your shoulder and may order an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments for Shoulder Dislocation
The condition is treated by a process called closed reduction, which involves placing the ball of the upper arm back into the socket. Following this, the shoulder will be immobilized using a sling for several weeks. Ice may be applied over the area 3-4 times a day. Rehabilitation exercises may be started to restore range of motion, once the pain and swelling decrease.
Related Topics:
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Frozen Shoulder
- Shoulder Impingement
- Shoulder Pain
- Subluxation
- SLAP Tears
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Labral Tear
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Little League Shoulder
- Shoulder Trauma
- Clavicle Fracture
- Baseball and Shoulder Injuries
- Sternoclavicular Joint (SC joint)
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis
- Proximal Biceps Tendinitis
- Internal Impingement of the Shoulder
- Rotator Cuff Re-tear
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Arthritis
- Bicep Tendon Rupture
- Shoulder Labral Tear with Instability
- Proximal Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Long Head Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Multidirectional Instability of the Shoulder
- Massive Retracted Rotator Cuff Tear
- Hill-Sachs Lesion
- Rotator Cuff Pain
- Treatment of Throwing Injuries of the Shoulder