Dislocated Shoulder

What is a dislocated shoulder?

A dislocated shoulder occurs when the humerus (ball) separates from the scapula (socket) at the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion in the body and is therefore more susceptible to dislocation.

What are the symptoms of a dislocated shoulder?

Feeling pain while trying to lift the shoulder up, a feel of friction during shoulder movements, a visible deformation of the shoulder or a weakness or even being anxious about a dislocation are symptoms of a dislocated shoulder.

What should be done if one suspects of a dislocated shoulder?

The joint must not be forced to move. It should be splinted in a proper position and ice packs should be applied to limit swelling and help relieve the pain.

What is a bankart lesion?

Recurrent shoulder dislocations are called a bankart lesion. It occurs due to tears in the structures called glenoid labrum and the articular capsule of humerus, which are located inside the shoulder joint and play a role in the stabilization of the shoulder. (SLAP tear)

What is the possibility of recurrence of a dislocated shoulder?

Patients who did not receive a treatment after the first incidence of a dislocated shoulder become very prone to suffer from another one. Especially if the first dislocation occurred before the age of 20, the probability of a recurrence is above 85%. For patients who underwent a dislocated shoulder after the age of 40, the probability is no more than 20%.

How is a dislocated shoulder diagnosed?

Medical history, physical examination and radiographic techniques are used in the diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you about what kind of a trauma underlies the first injury, how many times it is occurred, which kind of movements correct the dislocated shoulder, the form and level of pain, and whether if there is an accompanying disease. He/she will also use x-rays in order to see the changes incurred in the bone structure. MRI helps in revealing the underlying pathology clearly.

What kind of a treatment should be administered in a dislocated shoulder?

The first dislocated shoulder can be relocated by manipulation but recurrent shoulder dislocations require surgical treatment. Nowadays, arthroscopic methods provide a better repair of the tears occurred in the joint structures after a shoulder dislocation. Special anchors that are made of soluble material are utilized in refixing the tears back to bones. Arthroscopic method can also be used in cases of shoulder instability based on ligamentous laxity. It allows entering into the joint and applying sutures around the capsule to make it firmer and stronger.

What are the advantages of arthroscopic surgery compared to open surgery?

Little incisions decrease the risk of infection and the length of hospital stay. It allows the patient to return to his/her daily life in a shorter time. Moreover, arthroscopic surgery allows seeing lesions which are impossible to see in an open surgery by providing a better intra-articular examination.