Shoulder joints are one of the most vital joints in our entire skeletal system. They allow us to move our arms and lift weights, among other things.

Shoulder dislocation, also known as displacement, is a condition that should be given medical attention as soon as possible. To learn everything about shoulder dislocation, read the following article.

Anatomy of a Healthy Shoulder

The following parts go into the making of a healthy shoulder joint:

1. Humerus: This is your upper arm bone. It’s like a long stick that connects your shoulder to the elbow.
2. Scapula: This is your shoulder blade, a flat and triangular bone, that sits on your upper back.
3. Glenoid: The scapula contains a concave and shallow socket known as the glenoid fossa. This structure resembles a saucer, accommodating the humerus’s (your upper arm) spherical head and forming the complete ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder.

Simply put, imagine that the scapula has a small and shallow cup called the glenoid. It’s like a saucer where the ball of the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into.

4. Labrum: This is a soft tissue rim around the edge of the glenoid (the saucer). It’s like a rubbery seal that helps keep the humerus in place and adds stability to the shoulder joint.
5. Rotator Cuff: This is a group of muscles and tendons that wrap around the shoulder joint like a cuff or sleeve. They help hold the humerus securely in the glenoid socket and allow you to lift and rotate your arm.

Together, these parts form the shoulder joint, which is versatile and allows for a wide range of movements like reaching, lifting and rotating your arm.

In a healthy shoulder, there is no sign of inflammation, i.e., pain, tenderness, swelling, etc. Everything works together perfectly.

What is Shoulder Dislocation?

When the ball of the shoulder joint moves somewhere else out of its usual position inside the socket, the condition is known as shoulder dislocation.

In medical parlance, shoulder dislocation is a condition where the humerus is forced out of the glenoid socket.

There are mainly three types of shoulder dislocation. These are as follows:

• Anterior Dislocation: It is the most common type of shoulder dislocation. It happens in a situation where the humerus (or head of the upper arm) moves forwards.
• Posterior Dislocation: It is not so common. It happens in a situation where the humerus moves backwards.
• Inferior Dislocation: It is rare and it happens when the humerus moves downwards.

In the context of shoulder dislocation, “forwards, backwards and downwards” refer to the direction in which the upper arm bone (humerus) moves out of its normal position relative to the shoulder socket (glenoid).

Anterior Dislocation occurs when the humerus moves forwards, toward the front of the body, out of the glenoid socket in the shoulder blade (scapula).

Conversely, posterior dislocation happens when the humerus moves backwards, toward the back of the body, out of the glenoid socket.

And so is the case with inferior dislocation.

Symptoms of Shoulder Dislocation

A person affected by shoulder dislocation has to face the following symptoms:

• Severe Pain—especially with movements;
• Visible Deformity—the dislocated head of the upper arm (humerus) will cause visible bulging out beneath the affected skin;
• Swelling and Bruising—the dislocated part will cause the affected area to become inflamed with visible signs of swelling and bruising;
• Limited Range of Motion—you won’t be able to move the affected shoulder in its full range of motion; and,
• Numbness or Tingling—you might feel this down the arm or into the hand.

If you have any of such symptoms and you want to talk to an expert, visit the following link: best doctor for orthopedic in East Delhi.

Causes of Shoulder Dislocation

Now, let’s talk about situations that can cause shoulder dislocation.

• Trauma
• Sports
• Previous Dislocations
• Osteoporotic Bones

External trauma is the primary cause. It involves traumatising the shoulder joint up to such an extent that the upper arm’s spherical head gets dislocated somewhere else from its usual position.

Sports activities can cause shoulder joint dislocation as there is a higher risk of falling or getting involved in traumatising accidents.

If your shoulder joint has dislocated before, there is always a higher chance that it might dislocate for the second time as well.

A higher chance of shoulder dislocation is also present if someone is suffering from a severe form of osteoporosis. Weak and porous bones are always more prone to dislocation issues.

These are common causes of shoulder dislocation.

Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation

The following are the treatment options for a dislocated shoulder.

Medication: To relieve pain, a doctor might recommend painkillers.

Closed Reduction: This is a non-invasive treatment for shoulder dislocation. Here, the doctor tries to correct the dislocation with the help of specialised manoeuvres, using their hands or specialised tools.

Surgery: If a shoulder has been dislocated several times before, an orthopedic surgeon might recommend surgery for its permanent cure. If the case is not too complicated, the dislocated shoulder might also be treated with arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Immobilisation: Once your shoulder has been treated for dislocation, immobilisation can be applied with the help of tools like a splint and sling.

Rehabilitation: After surgery or splint removal, a rehabilitation programme is initiated to help the person, previously affected by the shoulder dislocation, regain mobility and get back to normal life.

How to Prevent Shoulder Injuries

To avoid shoulder injuries, consider the following.

Exercise Regularly: Don’t ignore the importance of working out. It is important to strengthen muscles and bones to make them strong enough to withstand harmful external traumas.

Eat Healthy Foods: Eating healthy and balanced meals is also vital. It impacts the entire body positively. Ignore junk foods and always eat home-cooked nutritious and hygienic meals.

Wear Protective Gear: While engaging in any activities potentially harmful, make sure you take care of all the safety measures. Protective gear helps avoid harmful physical injuries.

Be Mindful: While climbing stairs or any other activities, be careful to avoid falls or accidents. Don’t rush anywhere.

Conclusion

Shoulder dislocation is not a very serious condition if the problem is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible at the earliest. However, if you don’t get timely treatment, the situation can get worse, giving rise to complications.

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