Shoulder dislocation – causes, complaints & therapy

Shoulder dislocation

The physician describes under the shoulder dislocation or the shoulder dislocation the condition of a bone displacement, which has taken place directly in the shoulder joint. The displaced bones have completely or partially slipped out of the shoulder joint; treatment is unavoidable and should be carried out relatively promptly.

What is a shoulder dislocation?

The physician describes under the shoulder dislocation the condition of a displaced bone, which has “slipped” from the original shape and is no longer in the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is one of the largest joints; it belongs to the ball joints. In that ball joint is the head of the humerus; this can either shift or jump completely out of the socket if a shoulder dislocation occurs.

Among other things, muscles can be damaged during this process; blood vessels, nerves or ligaments can also be injured, torn or bruised. The physician distinguishes in the further course between a traumatic and an atraumatic shoulder dislocation. In the case of a traumatic injury, there is an effect of violence, while the atraumatic dislocation occurs in the context of flaccid ligaments or a “wrong” movement. In both cases, medical treatment is unavoidable.

Causes

If it is a traumatic shoulder dislocation, a force acting on the joint from the outside has triggered the state of injury. This condition occurs, among other things, in ball sports, when two players “collide” or one of the athletes falls on his shoulder. Sometimes such injuries can also occur in sports such as judo or karate, if any pulling movements of the arm are applied, in which shoulder dislocations can occur as a result.

If there is an atraumatic shoulder dislocation, congenital causes are often responsible. These are, among other things, congenital flaccid ligaments or a malformation of the joint socket or speaks the medical in this case of a socket dysplasia. Sometimes genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome, can also cause a so-called rubbery capsule tissue. This is an unstable joint, so that shoulder dislocations can occur even without a force. In the end, “ordinary” movements are sufficient, so that a dislocation occurs.

Symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of shoulder dislocation:

Classic symptoms are mainly shoulder pain as well as movement restrictions. Sometimes swelling occurs, which can also be accompanied by sensory disturbances. As a rule, the dislocation immediately causes very severe pain. The patient can no longer move the arm properly; on the one hand due to the severe pain, on the other hand due to the fact that the complete functionality is no longer given.

If, in addition to the dislocation, there is a simultaneous squeezing of the nerves, numbness can also occur in the affected area. If there are any injuries to the blood vessels, circulatory disorders sometimes occur. Due to the possible abundance of injuries, it is important that a shoulder dislocation is treated immediately.

Diagnosis

If there are the first signs of shoulder dislocation, a visit to a physician is unavoidable. Mainly because the patient is unable to move the bone back to its original position. If the physician recognizes – already on the basis of the joint contour – that there is a shoulder dislocation, he tests the mobility and function of the arm in the further course. This is – in most cases – so limited that a complete immobility of the affected arm is given. Every small movement causes severe pain to the patient.

The physician recognizes very tense arm muscles; by means of , it is possible that the dislocation is visualized or the physician recognizes whether any other injuries are present.

Treatment and therapy

If there is a dislocated shoulder, it must be repaired as quickly as possible or the bone that has been displaced must be put back into place. The doctor must primarily ensure that no other structures are injured during the reconstruction. The treatment itself is only short-term, but causes enormous pain. The patient must therefore be sedated or given Painkillers before the joint is returned to its original position.

In some cases, General Anesthesia is even necessary. After the doctor has set the shoulder, he examines whether any Nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments or vessels have been injured or whether there is a restricted movement. The patient must then keep the arm still for a certain period of time. As part of the follow-up treatment, Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs are prescribed.

These also ensure a decongestion. If other structures were injured as part of the dislocated shoulder, this may make surgical intervention necessary. If the ligaments or tendons are injured, they may need to be sewn up. Any bone chips must be removed or joined. Physical exercises are necessary after the treatment so that the joint regains its full functionality. Depending on the extent of the injury, it takes several weeks to heal.

Prevention

Prevention is only possible to a limited extent. If the patient knows that there are slack ligaments, increased caution may be necessary. However, traumatic causes cannot usually be prevented.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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