Shoulder Dislocation: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

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Thernshoulder joint consists of a ball and socket type structure where thernupper arm bone, i.e. the humerus is held within the socket whichrnenables rotational and linear movement. When the humerus is moved outrnof its socket due to external force, it is termed as a ‘shoulderrndislocation’.

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Shoulderrnbeing the most mobile joint of the body is also more susceptible tornsuch injuries. And as it moves in multiple directions, it can getrndislocated completely or partially moving forward, backward orrndownward. However, most dislocations occur towards the front of thernshoulder. Additionally, it may get more complicated and painful ifrnthe fibrous tissues that join the bones of your shoulder are strainedrnor torn.

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Causes:

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Onlyrna powerful force such as a sudden direct blow to the joint or hardrnrotational movements can cause dislocations inrnshoulders with a normal structure.rnSuch forces are commonly caused by:

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Sportsrninjuries: these type of injuriesrnare more common in tackle-type sports like football, rugby, hockey,rnbasketball, volleyball, and stunt-type sports like skiing andrngymnastics. rn

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TraumaticrnAccidents: Sudden accidents likernvehicle accidents, and sudden falling or tripping down from arnconsiderable height.

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MultidirectionalrnInstability(MDI): rn

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Itrnis an atraumatic condition where the shoulder’s glenohumeral partrnloosens up in multiple directions due to lack of static ligaments.rnThere is arnbasic structural abnormality in the tissues of the shoulder.

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RecurrentrnShoulder Dislocation:rnHere, the connective tissues that hold the head of the humerus in thernshoulder socket become loosened from injury, wear and tear, bonernloss from the ball or socket of the shoulder or from previousrnshoulder dislocations. This results in the shoulder dislocatingrnrepeatedly.

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Symptoms:

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Thernmost common sign is a visibly deformed shoulder joint with intensernpain in firstrntime dilocators.

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  Visiblern deformation around the joint

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  Sometimesrn numbness, weakness or tingling near the neck or down the arm

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  Musclern spasms around the joint with increasing intensity of pain.

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  Inabilityrn to move the joint in anyrn direction.

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TreatmentrnOptions:

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Dependingrnon the diagnosis via X-ray examination, the dislocation may berntreated in the following ways:

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ClosedrnReduction: rn

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  Itrn is a non-invasive technique where a doctor will move the dislocatedrn joint in gentle manoeuvres to try can lock it back into the originalrn position. rn

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  Ofrn course, depending on the severity of the injury, you will be given arn sedative or a general anaesthetic before the closed reductionrn manipulation.

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Immobilization:

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  Yourn may be asked to use a special splint or sling for a few weeks torn prevent any shoulder movements.

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  Thern duration of splint usage will be judged by the severity of thern dislocation and the delay in treatment.

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SurgicalrnTreatment:

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  Ifrn you have weak shoulder ligaments and tend to have recurring shoulderrn dislocations despite proper strengthening and rehabilitation, yourn will have to consider the surgical option from a good jointrn preservation shoulder surgeon / Sports surgeon.

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  Surgeryrn is a must in cases where the nerves or blood vessels around thern joint are damaged due to the dislocation.

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Wheneverrnyou start looking for an arthroscopysurgeon, remember these variousrnoptions and ask the surgeon to guide you through them.

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rnIf you’re lookingrnfor a shoulderspecialist in Mumbai,rnthen you must pay a visit to Dr Pranjal Kodkani. Being a highlyrnexperienced arthroscopy and sports injury specialist, he is widelyrnknown to be the most trusted arthroscopysurgeon in Mumbai.rnVisit Dr Kodkani website to learn more about his treatments andrnservices.