What are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Dislocation?

What are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Dislocation?

A dislocated shoulder is an injury which occurs when your upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of your shoulder blade.

As one of the most mobile joints in the body, the shoulder can get easily dislocated. A dislocated shoulder occurs when your upper arm bone pops out of the cup- shaped socket that's part of your shoulder blade. Shoulder dislocations can be either partial or complete and cause extreme pain and unsteadiness. Multispecialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment for shoulder dislocation, helping patients better manage pain, and regain strength and normal functioning of the joint.

Causes and Symptoms It is reported that shoulder dislocation typically affects males in their teens (or 20 years of age) who are physically active. A dislocated shoulder may be caused by traumatic injury, (such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident), repetitive or overuse strain, loose capsular ligaments and trauma not related to sports.

The shoulder joint can dislocate forward, backward, or downward. The injury may tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder or damage nerves. The condition can cause numbness, weakness or tingling near the site of the injury, (such as the neck or down the arm). Common symptoms include – •

Swelling or bruising

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Numbness, weakness or tingling in the area

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Muscle spasms

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Intense pain

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Inability to move the joint

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A visibly deformed or out-of-place shoulder

Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Shoulder Dislocation Diagnosis of this shoulder condition will begin with a detailed physical examination, where in the physician will inspect the affected area for tenderness, swelling or deformity. Diagnostic imaging tests will be used performed to identify the extent of dislocation and examine for broken bones or other damage to the shoulder joints. Based on the outcome of the assessment, a customized treatment plan will be developed to address the patient’s specific problems.

In most cases, the initial treatment will start with immobilization in a sling, usually for 3-4 weeks. This will help reduce the pain and swelling to a great extent. In Brooklyn, NYC, pain management and rehabilitation services for shoulder dislocation comprise a wide variety of nonsurgical modalities: ✓ Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – TENS involves low voltage electrical stimulation to “drown out” pain. ✓ Physical therapy – Physical therapy can improve shoulder function, increase strength, and help patients return to their pre-injury level of activity. It includes gentle strengthening, stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises. ✓ Chiropractic treatment – Administered by trained chiropractors, this treatment uses spinal manipulation and realignment techniques to alleviate pain and promote natural healing. ✓ Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – RFA utilizes an electric current (produced by a radio wave) to heat up a small area of nerve tissue in the shoulder, which nullifies the effect of the pain signals from that area.

If the above therapies do not yield the desired results, surgery may be recommended to repair or tighten the torn or stretched ligaments that hold the shoulder joint in place.

Taking adequate rest and avoiding repetitive activities that strain the shoulder ligament can help prevent the occurrence of dislocations in the long run. Other additional steps to prevent shoulder dislocations include – avoiding falls, reduce heavy lifting or overhead activity, doing regular exercise and wearing protective gear (while playing contact sports).