Dislocated Shoulder Treatment Kansas City, MO

Dislocated Shoulder Symptoms

Signs and symptoms can include:

• Swelling or bruising around the joint
• Intense pain
• You are unable to move your shoulder
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Tingling in and/or around the shoulder

What Causes a Shoulder to Dislocate?

Due to its ability to move in many different directions, the shoulder can dislocate forward, backward, or downward, and this can happen partially or completely.

Causes of a dislocated shoulder may include:

• Sports injuries – This is a common injury in impact sports, like football and hockey, as well as sports that may involve falls, like gymnastics and volleyball
• Trauma – A trauma unrelated to sports, like a car accident, may involve a hard hit to the shoulder, which can cause dislocation
• Falls – Landing in an awkward position, like from a ladder or tripping over a rug, can dislocate your shoulder

How to Treat a Dislocated Shoulder

There are many different treatment options for shoulder dislocation. These include:

• Closed reduction – This procedure uses gentle movements to reposition the shoulder bones. Before manipulating the shoulder bones, a muscle relaxant, sedative, or general anesthesia may be given. Severe pain should improve shortly after the shoulder bones are corrected
• Surgery – Shoulder surgery might help those who have weak joints or ligaments and struggle with repeated shoulder dislocations. This may also help reduce the risk of re-injury in young athletes
• Immobilization – After a closed reduction procedure, wearing a sling for a few weeks can help keep the shoulder stable and prevent movement while it heals
• Medication – Pain relievers or muscle relaxers may provide comfort while the shoulder heals after it has been put back into place
• Physical therapy – When the sling is no longer needed, a rehabilitation program can help restore range of motion, strength, and flexibility in the shoulder joint