Shoulder dislocation

Because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body and has such a wide range of motion, it is more likely to dislocate than any other joint in the body. Dislocations are among the most common traumatic injuries affecting the shoulder. Athletes, non-athletes, children, and adults can all dislocate their shoulders. They can occur during contact sports and everyday accidents, such as falls.

Depending on the severity of your injury, your age, and your activity level - or if physical therapy doesn't help - shoulder surgery may be needed to address the damage to the shoulder. Following shoulder stabilization surgery, your arm will be placed in a sling, usually for four to six weeks. Right after surgery, your shoulder will be painful and stiff, and it might swell. You will be given pain medication to help control your pain; icing your shoulder will help reduce both the pain and the swelling.

Your physical therapist will guide you through your post-surgical rehabilitation, which will progress from gentle range of motion and strengthening exercises ultimately to activity or sport-specific exercises. The timeline for your recovery will vary depending on the surgical procedure and your general state of health, but full return to sports, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities might not begin until four months after surgery. Your shoulder will be very susceptible to re-injury, so it is extremely important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon and therapist. Physical therapy after your shoulder surgery is essential to restore your shoulder's function.

Shoulder dislocation may be preventable. Please see your physical therapist if you have pain in your shoulder - especially when doing forceful activities, feel as though your shoulder is slipping or moving, or you hear a popping sound in your shoulder. Your physical therapist can help by guiding you through strengthening exercises and special drills to improve the ability of your shoulder muscles to respond to forceful physical demands, when needed.

If you are at risk for shoulder dislocation, your physical therapist can show you positions to avoid and prevent injury. The most important position to avoid is having the arm overhead while it's rotated outward, as happens with overhand throwing.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at Pinnacle Physical Therapy. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Post Falls (208) 777-4242 or Coeur d'Alene (208) 665-2000.

- Pinnacle Physical Therapy