Introduction
If the shoulder is dislocated, this is called shoulder dislocation or shoulder joint dislocation. It is the most common dislocation of a joint in our body. If too much force is applied to the shoulder joint, the humerus may jump out of its position in the shoulder and lose contact with the socket.
Depending on the direction in which the head of the humerus jumps, there is an anterior, a posterior and a lower shoulder dislocation. The anterior shoulder dislocation is the most common form of dislocation. Typically, the shoulder dislocation causes unpleasant symptoms such as pain and concomitant injuries to the surrounding tissue.
These are the typical symptoms of a dislocated shoulder
Severe pain Swelling Bruising Restriction of the mobility of the shoulder joint Numbness in the area of the lateral shoulder and in the arm Tingling / ant walking in the area of the lateral shoulder and in the arm Paralysis Fainting Position of the arm in a typical relieving posture
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruise
- Restriction of the mobility of the shoulder joint
- Numbness in the area of the lateral shoulder and in the arm
- Tingling / ants in the area of the lateral shoulder and in the arm
- Paralysis
- Powerlessness
- Posture of the arm in a typical gentle position
If a shoulder is acutely dislocated, the enormous amount of force typically causes an extraordinarily strong pain in the shoulder joint. In the shoulder joint, the tissue swells and a bruise develops, the fluids press on the surrounding structures, which is painful. Usually the pain remains, somewhat less severe than at the beginning of the trauma.
The shoulder joint is very sensitive and painful under pressure. At the same time, movements of the arm and shoulder feel a sharp pain, so that the affected person automatically holds the shoulder and arm in a relieving position. Re-positioning of the shoulder is necessary to end the pain in the long term.
Nerves run close to the shoulder joint and can be injured during dislocation of the shoulder joint. Such nerve damage can cause disturbances in the sensation of feeling in the lateral shoulder and arm. Unpleasant complaints such as tingling or formication or a numbness in the affected area are possible symptoms of such an accompanying injury.
A dislocated shoulder, more precisely an anterior lower shoulder dislocation, can be accompanied by damage to the axillary nerve. If this nerve is damaged by the trauma, the muscles supplied by the nerve suffer. The deltoid muscle, also known as the deltoid muscle, lies on the shoulder joint and atrophies in the case of axillary nerve paresis.
Smaller muscles are also paralyzed, which align the arm movements when the arm is spread sideways and forward. In addition, turning outward is weakened. A dislocated shoulder can therefore paralyze the large deltoid muscle and smaller shoulder muscles.
If the shoulder is dislocated, this leads to a severe restriction of movement of the arm and shoulder of the affected side. Since the slightest movement triggers severe pain, patients avoid all arm movements. At the same time, the dislocated joint with incorrect position of the humerus also drastically restricts the directions of movement.
Due to the discomfort, the patient holds the arm close to the body and typically avoids any movement. Powerlessness refers to a temporary unconsciousness. It can be a concomitant symptom of an acute, traumatic shoulder dislocation.
If the shoulder is acutely dislocated in an accident or other form of violence on the joint, this puts a strain on the circulation of the person affected. Serious concomitant injuries can occur at the same time. In the acute situation of a shoulder dislocation, the affected person may lose consciousness and faint for a short time.
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