A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone slips out of the cup shaped socket of the shoulder blade. Did you know that the shoulder joint is one of the most flexible joints in the body, and yes unfortunately this increases its dislocation rate compared to other joints like hips or ankles.
The shoulder can dislocate in 3 directions: anterior/ forwards (most common), posterior/ backwards and inferior/ downwards. Due to the anatomy of the shoulder, when a dislocation occurs there is often stretching or tearing of the soft tissue structures joining the bones as well, which can add another layer to the rehab journey post dislocation.
Common symptoms to look out for following a shoulder dislocation include visible changes to the position of the shoulder joint compared to the non-effected side, swelling or bruising around the shoulder joint, high pain levels, reduced range of motion and strength of the shoulder. Differential diagnosis that can present similarly are shoulder fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff muscle injuries, shoulder subluxation.
Like all injuries, a shoulder dislocation can range in severity, however all dislocations for first line treatment need to be safely relocated back into place. This is performed under the guidance of a medical professional. Following relocation, a period of immobilisation must occur (usually up to 2-3weeks) to allow for the shoulder capsule to heal. It is in this phase that people present to their trusty OHL Physio for a plan. Most commonly we start with appropriate manual therapy and specific exercises to gradually improve mobility and strength. As the shoulder improves, everyday activities and return to sport parameters are added in, once they’ve successfully performed all relevant testing, until full shoulder function has been achieved.
Lastly, it should be noted that in some cases surgical repair may be required if recurrent shoulder dislocations continue to occur. In all cases, you’ll need an experienced Physio in your team, and we’re pleased you’d consider us at OHL. You can book via 9431 5955 or via the Client Portal on the website.
