Dislocated Shoulder

These articles are for general information only and are not medical advice. Full Disclaimer. All articles are compliments of the AAOS

The shoulder joint is your body’s most mobile joint. It can turn in many directions, but this advantage also makes your shoulder joint easy to dislocate. A partial dislocation (subluxation) means the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is partially out of the socket (glenoid). A complete dislocation means it’s all the way out. Both partial and complete dislocation cause pain and unsteadiness in your shoulder. Your muscles may have spasms from the disruption, and this can make it hurt more. When your shoulder dislocates time and again, you have shoulder instability.

Symptoms to look for include swelling, numbness, weakness, and bruising. Sometimes dislocation may tear ligaments or tendons in your shoulder. Once in a while, the dislocation may damage your nerves.

Your shoulder joint can dislocate forward, backward, or downward. A common type of shoulder dislocation is when your shoulder slips forward (anterior instability). This means your upper arm bone moved forward and down out of its joint. It may happen when you put your arm in a throwing position.

Your doctor will examine your shoulder and may order an X-ray. It’s important for you to tell your doctor how it happened. Was it an injury? Have you ever dislocated your shoulder before? Your doctor will place the ball of the upper arm bone (humerus) back into the joint socket. This process is called closed reduction. Your severe pain stops almost immediately once your shoulder joint is back in place.