Dislocated Shoulder? Seek Medical Attention, Stat

Did you know that the most frequently dislocated joint of the body is the shoulder? 

A dislocated shoulder is when the head of the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, which is part of a person’s shoulder blade. 

Common causes of a dislocated shoulder include:

• Sports injuries.
  
  
• Trauma related to car accidents.
  
  
• Falls, especially onto an outstretched hand.
  
  

Strong force to the shoulder can cause the bones to pop out of place, resulting in signs of a deformed shoulder, swelling or bruising, intense pain and the inability to move the joint. 

However, the last thing you should do is attempt to “pop” your should back into place. 

“You should never attempt to self-set a dislocated shoulder,” says Dr. Derek Johnson, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Wilcox Health Bone & Joint Center. 

“It’s important to move the joint as little as possible because self-setting can damage the shoulder joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels,” Johnson explains. 

Instead, Johnson recommends seeking immediate medical attention for a dislocated shoulder, which should include radiographic images before and after the resetting of the shoulder to check for related fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries. 

“Prompt medical attention can reduce the risk of related bone, muscle and nerve injuries, as well as future dislocations,” Johnson says.

The Wilcox Health Bone & Joint Center offers expert care that spans surgical and non-surgical treatments and rehabilitation services, bringing together clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology to ensure the best outcome for patients. 

To learn more about the Wilcox Health Bone & Joint Center, click here.

Published on: April 26, 2016