Shoulder joint Dislocation

The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the largest and most obvious joint in the shoulder complex. It is described as a "ball and socket" joint and consists of an articulation between the glenoid fossa of shoulder blade (which forms the socket) and the head of the humerus (which forms the ball.).

One of the many reasons for such a high degree of mobility in the shoulder joint is that the socket of the joint is quite shallow and therefore the ball of the joint is able to move throughout its wide range without impeding on the surrounding bone. This is the opposite to the hip which has a much deeper socket. To combat this instability, the Glenohumeral joint relies on the balance, strength and control of muscles, ligaments/capsule and labrum (cartilage) to function properly.

If the shoulder is subjected to an injury (i.e. a rugby tackle) with a force which exceeds the supportive capabilities of the surrounding shoulder ligaments, capsule and/or labrum, the arm bone (humerus) can be forced from the ball and socket joint. This can occur is different directions but the most common dislocation for the shoulder is an Anterior Dislocation (95% of glenohumeral dislocations) whereby, the head of the humerus is forced out of the ball and socket joint in a forward direction.

Symptoms of a Shoulder joint Dislocation

As with any new injury, patients will experience immediate pain, swelling and loss of function of the injured arm. In addition, the patient may have felt the arm either “pop out “ of its joint and/ or felt a “pop” at the time of the injury. There is also often additional symptoms of shock.

Treatment for a Shoulder joint Dislocation

If this is the first time, that your shoulder has dislocated , the most common course of action is for patients to go to hospital where their shoulder will be reduced (usually without anaethestic) and immobilized in a sling. Pain killers and antiinflammatories will also be prescribed and imaging will usually be carried out to make sure there is not an underlying fracture.

DO NOT TRY AND RELOCATE YOUR SHOULDER or let an inexperienced person try and relocate your shoulder as it is possible to injure the surrounding nerves and blood supply to your upper limb. An experienced medic is needed to carry out this procedure.

The main problem with a dislocated shoulder is the soft tissue injury that occurs as a consequence of the tauma. Long term, this will mean that unless the supportive elements of the shoulder are strengthened, it is likely that the shoulder can dislocate again but this time with a much smaller force. The instability needs to be addressed.

At our Chiropractic and Sports Injures Clinic, treatment will focus on reducing some of the pain from the localized muscle spasm around the shoulder and from here a strengthening programme will be initiated to provide greater support around the glenohumeral joint and thus reduce the likelihood of future episodes of dislocation. 

In the case of ongoing recurrent instability after a course of rehabilitation, patients will be referred on to an orthopaedic consultant for further evaluation.