Shoulder dislocation is very common in sports (and in general), and occurs when the upper part of the humerus (arm) bone is dislocated from the shoulder socket. A dislocated shoulder can be an extremely painful injury- however, the full range of motion can be restored fairly quickly through dislocated shoulder treatments. Shoulder dislocation is often caused by trauma, such as lifting a heavy object or falling on the arm at the wrong angle. It can also be caused by traumatic stress, like repetitive pressure that over time destabilizes and loosens the shoulder joint. If you think that you suffered a shoulder dislocation, you should immediately seek medical attention because leaving it untreated can result in significant complications and damage with long-term implications.
Dislocated Shoulder Symptoms
Some symptoms you should watch for after a fall or any kind of traumatic impact that indicate a dislocated shoulder include:
- A shoulder that appears to be visibly out of place
- Severe shoulder pain, especially at the joint
- Numbness and tingling
- Inability to move the shoulder
- Pain when you move the shoulder
- Weakness in the shoulder
If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately get treated at an urgent care facility or hospital emergency department to avoid further damage to the shoulder. The medical provider will use medical imaging like X-rays or ultrasounds as well as physical examination to diagnose the shoulder dislocation.
Treating A Dislocated Shoulder
The first step to treating a dislocated shoulder starts with replacing the dislocated bone in its socket, but there are additional treatments that follow, including:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Activity modification and/or immobilization with a sling
- Strengthening exercises and/or physical therapy
- Icing or applying heat to the shoulder joint
After your initial treatments, you should always follow up by consulting with an orthopedic surgeon. If you tore any ligaments or tendons in your shoulder, then additional surgery or other types of treatments may be necessary.
How An Orthopedic Specialist Can Help
A dislocated shoulder can be a severe injury, and though it may be tempting, you shouldn’t try to “pop” the dislocated bone back in on your own, as you could damage the shoulder further. After receiving initial treatment to get the shoulder back into place, you may need to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon for additional treatment to repair any potential injuries to surrounding tissues or tears in tendons or ligaments. If your shoulder isn’t responding to conservative treatment, some ways our orthopedic specialist can help include:
- Ligament and tendon reconstruction and repair
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic reconstruction
- Bone transfer and grafting
Contact Us Today
ACME Spine & Orthopedics offers world-class orthopedic surgical treatment along with a range of minimally and non-invasive treatments for orthopedic conditions and sports-related injuries like dislocated shoulders. Our highly experienced medical staff and orthopedic surgeon can help you optimize your health and speed up your recovery with the latest techniques in orthopedics and innovative technology. Call ACME Spine & Orthopedics to schedule an appointment with a top orthopedic surgeon in Florida today.
