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Shoulder Dislocations

Shoulder Dislocations Specialist

Dallas orthopedic shoulder surgeon, Dr. Brody Flanagin, treats dislocated shoulders on a regular basis in his orthopedic practice. A dislocated shoulder is common among athletes, as well as everyday individuals who experience trauma to the shoulder by falling or injuring themselves. The dislocation can be either partial or complete. A partial dislocation, also referred to as a subluxation, is when the humerus (the head of the upper arm bone) moves partially out of the shoulder socket. When the humerus comes all the way out, it is considered a complete dislocation.

Shoulder Dislocations

Shoulder Dislocations - Dislocated Shoulder Treatment (Dallas, TX)

About Shoulder Dislocations

The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the human body, offering significant range of motion with the ability to move in many directions. For a person to perform small or big activities, this is an advantage. However, because of this extreme mobility, the shoulder is one of the easier joints to dislocate. Dallas orthopedic shoulder surgeon, Dr. Brody Flanagin, treats dislocated shoulders on a regular basis in his orthopedic practice. A dislocated shoulder is common among athletes, as well as everyday individuals who experience trauma to the shoulder by falling or injuring themselves. The dislocation can be either partial or complete. A partial dislocation, also referred to as a subluxation, is when the humerus (the head of the upper arm bone) moves partially out of the shoulder socket. When the humerus comes all the way out, it is considered a complete dislocation. Both forms cause shoulder instability, shoulder pain, and will require medical treatment.

Injury Symptoms

A shoulder dislocation can be very painful. When the injury occurs, the patient may hear or feel a loud pop, followed by pain, numbness, and swelling. In many cases, the shoulder will become "locked" or frozen, which means the patient will not have mobility until the shoulder is set back into place. While the shoulder joint can dislocate downward, backward, or forward, the more common type is when the shoulder slips forward, known as anterior instability. If the dislocation is severe enough, ligaments and tendons may also become damaged. Without proper treatment, the shoulder will continue to dislocate, causing ongoing instability.

Types of Shoulder Dislocations

Shoulder dislocations generally occur in two distinct ways most commonly. They occur through an anterior dislocation or a posterior dislocation.

  • Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Anterior dislocations of the shoulder are the most common type of dislocation, accounting for roughly 95% of them. This occurs when the humeral head of the shoulder is anteriorly displaced in relation to the glenoid. Patients who suffer this injury usually show an obvious squared-off look, which is due to the dislocation causing a flat shoulder appearance due to the malposition of the bone. This dislocation can occur with or without bone loss to the joint.

  • Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

Posterior dislocations of the shoulder are very rare and occur in less than 5% of dislocation cases. This injury is usually caused by a high impact injury where the arm is outstretched, and internally rotated. It is so rare, that in many cases, it is often misdiagnosed. This injury pushes the head of the humerus out of the glenoid cavity in a posterior manner. It is often associated with neck trauma or a fracture of the neck or humerus. If misdiagnosed, additional injury can occur, such as ligament and cartilage damage, as well as a rotator cuff injury.

Treatment Options

In many cases, treatment for a shoulder dislocation is straightforward. The ball of the upper arm bone can be placed back into the joint socket, which will bring immediate relief to the patient. This is known as a closed reduction. The patient may feel sore for a few days, and rehab may be ordered for several weeks to ensure the shoulder is effectively secure. In more severe cases, ligament or tendon damage can occur within the shoulder joint that requires repair. If this occurs, the shoulder will continue to dislocate, leading to ongoing shoulder instability if surgery is not performed. Arthroscopic surgery may be an option to repair loose cartilage, or damaged tendons so that the shoulder can regain stability. In cases of shoulder dislocations with bone loss involving the glenoid (“socket”), open surgical stabilization may be required. This is typically a result of recurrent/repeated dislocations over time without having had surgery. In addition, it can result from a repeat dislocation in patients who have had prior surgery to repair torn ligaments. In the event of bone loss of the glenoid (“socket”), the most common procedure utilized to address this problem is the Latarjet procedure, which involves the transfer of small piece of bone in the front of the shoulder blade to the front of the socket to correct the problem.

Get More Information

Many times, a dislocated shoulder will be treated in the ER, which in many cases does not involve an orthopedic specialist. Shoulder dislocation require a careful analysis so that future instability does not occur. If your shoulder was dislocated and put back into place and you are experiencing ongoing shoulder instability, please call our orthopedic office to schedule your consultation. We will provide a thorough exam, and ensure that your shoulder is healthy and remains stable.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.

Related Topics:

Office Facilities
  • American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Arthroscopy Association of North America