Dislocations

Treatment and rapid assessment of sports and traumatic injuries, including surgery for collarbone (clavicle), wrist and ankle fractures and dislocated shoulders are available at the Albury-Wodonga Insight Orthopaedic and Sports Injury Clinic.

The shoulder is the body's most mobile joint, which makes it susceptible to dislocation. A dislocated shoulder is an injury in which your upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of your shoulder blade.

If you suspect a dislocated shoulder, you should seek medical attention immediately - you may need to attend a hospital emergency department for review. Even if you find your shoulder has popped back in after a dislocation, you should still consider attending emergency for assessment of your injury.

The severity of each dislocation can vary, but most people regain full shoulder function within a few weeks. However, once you've had a dislocated shoulder, your joint may become unstable and be prone to repeat dislocations.

Causes

  • Sports - Shoulder dislocations are commonly caused by various types of sports injuries
  • Accidents, including traffic accidents
  • Force - a shoulder could be dislocated when the arm is pulled or twisted with extreme force in an outward, upward or backward direction. This extreme force pops the top of the humerus out of its socket.
  • In other cases, it is the result of a fall on an outstretched arm, a direct forceful blow to the shoulder, a seizure or a severe electric shock. Seizures and shock can cause shoulder dislocations because they produce extreme, unbalanced muscle contractions that can wrench the humerus out of place.

Symptoms:

If you think your shoulder is dislocated, you should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms can include:

  • Severe shoulder pain
  • Trouble moving your arm
  • Your arm seems to be out of place
  • Muscle spasms in your shoulder
  • Swelling and bruising of your shoulder or upper arm
  • Numbness and/or weakness in your arm, neck, hand, or fingers

Risks and Complications

There are some risks and complications associated with shoulder dislocation, some of which can have long-term effects on the patient. These most commonly include:

Bone and Muscle

Possible damage to surrounding bones and muscles as a result of the trauma that caused the dislocation.

Nerve Damage

This usually comes in the form of an injured circumflex axillary nerve. The primary symptom of this type of damage is numbness on the outside of the upper arm. Untreated, nerve damage to the circumflex axillary nerve can result in weakness of the deltoid muscle and restricted shoulder movement.

Rotator Cuff Injury

For older patients or patients who smoke, a rotator cuff injury or tear may accompany a shoulder dislocation. This often requires follow-up visits, tests, and physical therapy to gauge the type and extent of the shoulder damage.

Our doctors

Our highly specialised team of orthopaedic surgeons live and practice in Albury, so you know that they will be available to see you fast.

For shoulder dislocations, you will be referred to Dr Philip Frawley (MBBS FRACS (ORTH) SESA.) With over 20 years of experience, Dr Frawley offers the people of Albury Specialist Upper Limb Orthopaedic care. Dr Frawley is a Fellow of the Royal Australasia College of Surgeons, Fellow of the Australian Orthopaedic Association and a member of the Australian Shoulder & Elbow Society since 2004.