How to Treat a Dislocated Shoulder

Dislocated shoulders are extremely painful and can be difficult to treat. Often, the full course of treatment for a severely dislocated shoulder may take several months, or even longer. It is possible, however, to successfully treat and completely rehabilitate a dislocated shoulder, given the proper time, attention and resources.

Things You'll Need

• Sling

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Immobilize the affected arm in a sling as quickly as possible. This will minimize pain and help keep the injury from getting any worse.

• 2

  Determine if there are any other, more serious injuries that go along with the dislocated shoulder. Many times, a dislocated shoulder is so painful that it can mask other, more serious injuries that were sustained in the same trauma. Make sure there aren't any additional, life-threatening injuries before you proceed in treating the injured shoulder.

• 3

  Get expert medical help for the injured party. It is not advisable for anyone other than a medical professional to attempt to put the shoulder back into joint.

• 4

  Have the professional put the shoulder back into joint. This can be extremely painful but is absolutely necessary. Sometimes, painkillers may be given to the patient in advance. In rare cases where the dislocation is truly severe, a general anesthetic may be administered during the procedure.

• 5

  Immobilize the shoulder in a sling for a few weeks. During the worst, most painful recovery stages after the dislocation, it's best to simply keep the arm in a sling and let it heal.

• 6

  After the worst of the pain is gone, begin physical therapy to rehabilitate the injured shoulder. The main goals of this rehab should be to strengthen the rotator-cuff muscles and regain full range of motion in the injured shoulder.