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Exercises to Avoid After a Shoulder Dislocation

Perhaps one of the most common shoulder injuries, subluxation (commonly known as dislocation) of the shoulder usually results from blunt trauma to the arm, thus pushing the humerus out of the shoulder socket. Certain arm movements and exercises should be avoided during recovery and treatment in order to prevent further joint injury.

  1. Shoulder Flexion

    • Depending on the type of shoulder dislocation you have suffered (anterior or posterior), shoulder flexion may be considerably painful and should therefore be avoided. According to the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS), joint inflammation and instability is common with a shoulder dislocation and will therefore require the patient to use a protective sling or brace. Due to the anatomical location of the injury, the act of raising your arm upwards (flexion) and in front of you can certainly increase discomfort and may put you at risk for a repeated dislocation. This risk is even higher if you have also suffered tendon or ligament damage.

    Shoulder Abduction

    • According to the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, the most important arm position to avoid after suffering a shoulder dislocation is holding the arm 90 degrees to the side with the palm facing upwards. This position and movement is referred to as abduction and should only be attempted under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Attempting this arm movement otherwise holds the highest risk of re-dislocating the joint due to the anatomical structure of the shoulder capsule.

    Additional Precautions

    • As with most shoulder injuries, the introduction of weight or resistance to an exercise program can be more harmful than beneficial if implemented too soon after injury and can cause long-term complications. According to the UMHS, you will typically be required to remain in an immobilizer or protective sling with no exercise for up to 3 weeks. During this time, you should seek the treatment of a physical therapist, who will then prescribe a treatment plan specific to you and your injury. With time and proper treatment, patients typically regain full use of the injured shoulder.

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