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Causes of a Dislocated Shoulder

The shoulders are the most mobile joints of the body, with the ability to move in multiple directions. It is this ability, though, that makes them prone to injury. A dislocated shoulder occurs when the the bone in the upper arm pops out of the socket in the shoulder blade. This injury can be caused by a number of things, some of them preventable. Knowing the causes can save you time in the doctor's office and money in medical bills.

  1. Causes

    • Contact sports such as football, wrestling and hockey are among the most common causes of a dislocated shoulder. Sports that pose a threat of falling, such as gymnastics or skiing, can also cause this injury. Traumatic situations, such as a car accident or falling from a ladder, can cause you to dislocate your shoulder. Any kind of strong force or sudden blow that can pull or push the shoulder out of place can cause a dislocated shoulder.

    Symptoms

    • The person with the dislocated shoulder will usually have a hard time moving his arm even the slightest bit in any direction, and will have severe pain in the joint of his shoulder. It may appear as though the shoulder is deformed, and when touched, it may feel as if there is no bone under the skin. There may be discoloration or bruising at the site.

    Risk

    • Some people are at higher risk for dislocating a shoulder. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 are considered high risk, because they are more physically active. Older adults are considered high risk, because their joints and ligaments become weaker with age, and they have a tendency to fall more. Anyone who has had a dislocated shoulder in the past is at a higher risk for a future injury; once the joint has been injured once, it is more susceptible to injury.

    Diagnosis

    • To determine for sure if your shoulder is dislocated, you can be examined by a doctor, who may order an x-ray. This reveals the dislocation and may also display any other damage done to the joint. An MRI can help the doctor determine how much damage has been done to the tissue around the shoulder joint, while an EMG shows the extent of the nerve damage caused by the dislocation.

    Treatment

    • Once the condition and extent of damage has been diagnosed, the doctor will attempt to put the shoulder back into place gently. This process is called closed reduction. The patient may require a muscle relaxant and sedative, depending on the severity of the pain. The pain will be relieved almost immediately, once the shoulder is back in place. Depending on the extent of the damage, the doctor may choose to immobilize the shoulder with a splint or a sling and prescribe pain relievers.

    Prevention/Solution

    • To help prevent a dislocated shoulder, wear the recommended protective gear when playing any contact sports. Exercise your shoulders on a regular basis to maintain strength and flexibility. Use caution when working from great heights or standing on a ladder, and watch for anything that may cause you to trip and fall.

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