What does the arm look like when one shoulder is dislocated? | These symptoms indicate a dislocated shoulder

What does the arm look like when one shoulder is dislocated?

For the three possible forms of shoulder dislocation there are correspondingly characteristic positions of the upper arm. The position of the arm represents the direction in which the shoulder is dislocated. The most common form is the anterior shoulder dislocation, where the upper arm has slipped forward towards the chest.

In the case of the posterior dislocation, the humerus points to the back, in the direction of the back. The third form is the lower shoulder dislocation. Here, the head of the humerus points in the direction of the armpit and is clearly directed downwards.

What symptoms can remain after the settling?

Depending on the extent of the shoulder dislocation and possible concomitant injuries, symptoms may remain permanently after treatment of the dislocated shoulder joint. Initially, permanent instability in the shoulder joint may persist. Once the shoulder has been dislocated, the risk of dislocating the joint again increases.

This is especially true if structures such as the joint lip of the shoulder joint or the biceps tendon are injured. Typically, the upper arm then jumps forward, towards the ribcage. This is a common consequence of a dislocated shoulder.

At the same time, nerves and vessels can be injured in the dislocation. Existing tingling, formication or numbness in the area of the lateral shoulder and arm can be long-term consequences of nerve damage. The axillary nerve is an important nerve for the shoulder and arm, which can be damaged in the course of a shoulder dislocation and trigger the corresponding symptoms. It can also cause certain muscles, such as the deltoid muscle and small muscles of the rotator cuff, to become paralyzed and permanently restricted in their movement.