Dislocated shoulder

Shoulder dislocation means that the upper arm is displaced from its normal position in the shoulder joint with great force. The condition is associated with significant pain and remains so until the arm is corrected to its natural position. In addition to pain, shoulder dislocation is associated with great instability. As the trauma can cause damage to the stabilising ligaments, it is not uncommon for a person to have repeated shoulder dislocations once they have suffered it.

There are actually two reasons why the shoulder continues to dislocate repeatedly. One is that there is less instability caused by a trauma where the ball of the joint has been dislocated. The other reason is that some people may have a congenital instability of the shoulder joint and are therefore more likely to dislocate the shoulder. Whatever the cause, it is important to quickly return the shoulder to its original position. This can be done by self-repositioning, i.e. restoring the shoulder, or by having someone else reposition it. Successful self-repositioning reduces the risk of injury to the shoulder joint. If you choose to wait and then go to the emergency room for help, cramps and other involuntary movements can lead to injuries.

To prevent shoulder dislocation, you should make sure to train the muscles around the area for stability, and you can also use stabilising products and aids such as a shoulder guard. If you have been affected, you should ensure that your strength and mobility have returned to that of your healthy shoulder before returning to hard exercise or sport.