Prevention
- Adequate immobilization and consistent physiotherapy after the initial luxation
- Adjustment of physical/sporting activities, if necessary avoidance of strains on the shoulder
- If necessary, early surgical reconstruction to prevent dislocation
Symptoms of shoulder dislocation
The most obvious symptom of an acute shoulder dislocation is severe pain in the shoulder region. Every movement of the arm leads to further severe pain, which is why an affected person will hardly ever move the arm and will try to keep it as still as possible. Next, swelling and bruising usually become visibly noticeable and the shoulder loses more mobility due to the swelling.
A shoulder dislocation is often visible through the skin. The acromion protrudes clearly and the head of the humerus is palpable. Since nerves run along the head of the humerus, a dislocation can damage them, which can result in numbness or similar sensitivity disorders in the shoulder and arm.
Another obvious symptom is a flattened contour of the deltoid muscle on which a pit is visible.The pit is due to the fact that there is a hole in the empty socket because of the missing head of humerus and it is visible in a depression. The pain of a dislocation of the shoulder that has just occurred is severe and usually almost unbearable. The pain continues until the shoulder dislocation has been treated.
This includes the reduction of the joint or the administration of painkillers. If the reduction is successful, there should basically be no more pain, as the cause of the pain has been eliminated. During an acute dislocation it is almost impossible to move the upper arm without pain.
For this reason, the arm is placed in a kind of gentle position, which usually looks bizarre to outsiders. If pain persists despite treatment, it should be checked whether there are any accompanying symptoms, such as damage to nerves, vessels or ligaments. To a certain extent, pain that occurs during the post-operative treatment of an operation after shoulder dislocation should be considered normal.
It is possible that pain that occurs after a longer period of immobilization is caused by a stiff shoulder. The treatment of pain occurring after shoulder dislocation should be discussed with the attending physician. Often the intake of so-called NSAIDs such as Ibruprofen or Dicofenac is sufficient to significantly relieve the pain.
The pain of dislocation of the shoulder is strongest as long as the shoulder is in a dislocated state. The intensity of the pain is relatively strong, which is why a dislocation is immediately noticeable. As soon as the shoulder is repositioned, the pain subsides, unless structures such as vessels or bones have been affected by the dislocation.
Persistent pain in the shoulder may indicate that this is the case and a sign that further diagnostic measures are required. The pain of acute dislocation can be minimized with the administration of painkillers. If the treatment is successful, there should be no more pain.
Another symptom that can occur with a dislocated shoulder is nerve irritation. This causes a tingling sensation and possibly numbness in the affected area. In addition, the shoulder is severely restricted in its movement because the head of the humerus and the socket of the shoulder blade no longer interlock.
In most cases, bruising and swelling are visible on the shoulder and a dent in the bone contour is palpable or sometimes visible. In the case of a shoulder dislocation, there is a risk of injury to surrounding structures. The muscles and tendons of the supporting apparatus are particularly at risk.
If these tear, surgical intervention may be necessary. The biceps tendon also runs near the shoulder joint and can be damaged. In addition, nearby blood vessels and nerves are at risk.