What Should I Do If I Think My Shoulder Is Dislocated?
You should contact OrthoNeuro and make an appointment to see one of our orthopedic shoulder surgeons right away to have your shoulder dislocation treated.
Keep your shoulder immobilized, and if possible, use a sling or splint to keep it in its current position.
Under no circumstances should you try to force your shoulder back into place.
You can apply ice to your shoulder to reduce swelling, pain, and the buildup of fluids in your shoulder joint.
How Is a Shoulder Dislocation Diagnosed?
Your orthopedic shoulder specialist at OrthoNeuro provides thorough exams to diagnose dislocated shoulders.
After reviewing your medical history, your symptoms, and the details of your injury, your doctor manipulates your arm to gather more information about your injury.
Your doctor usually lifts your arm to the front or side and gently rotates your arm in both directions.
How your arm can or can’t move helps your orthopedist determine the type of dislocation.
When necessary, your physician may order an X-ray to see your shoulder joint in more detail and identify any related bone fractures.
How Do You Fix a Dislocated Shoulder?
Following your assessment, your doctor creates a treatment plan for your shoulder dislocation.
They provide medication to help you stay comfortable before applying some gentle maneuvers to guide your shoulder bones back into the correct positions.
Your orthopedic surgeon provides a sling or a splint to immobilize the shoulder joint while you rest and recover.
You can use ice paces to manage swelling, bruising, and pain. As your shoulder pain and other symptoms subside, you begin physical therapy to rehabilitate your shoulder.