Contents
Shoulder dislocation therapy
Self-help
put on arm sling; if no bandage is available, a piece of cloth or a towel can be knotted into a circle and folded over.
A pillow placed between the arm and abdomen helps support the dislocated shoulder .
The visit to the doctor should take place on an empty stomach; do not eat anything before going to the emergency room.
Medication
Treatment may vary depending on other existing conditions and injuries:
The first step is the alignment or reduction of the joint, which means that the doctor will use a few gentle movements to bring the shoulder back into the correct anatomical position.
Depending on the intensity of the pain and the swelling, muscle-relaxing and pain-relieving medication can be administered; in rare cases, a general painkiller is used
sprayed on the arm device.
Once the bones of the shoulder are relocated, the pain should subside immediately.
Shoulder dislocation surgery
With weak muscles or loose ligaments, shoulder instability can remain, leading to frequent shoulder dislocations, despite the implementation of an appropriate rehabilitation and muscle strengthening program.
In this case, surgical intervention may be necessary.
It is rare that an operation is necessary because nerves or blood vessels have been injured in a shoulder dislocation.
Immobilization of the shoulder
The doctor can immobilize the shoulder for a period of time (a few days to three weeks) with a special bandage or trauma bandage. How long the bandage or bandage is worn depends on the severity of the dislocation and whether the bandage was applied immediately after the dream.
The doctor may prescribe pain relievers or muscle-relaxing drugs (muscle relaxants) to relieve pain while the shoulder is healing.
Once the bandage is removed, a gradual rehabilitation program begins to restore range of motion, shoulder joint stability, and rotator cuff muscle strength.
If it is a simple shoulder dislocation without damaging nerves or surrounding tissue, the shoulder joint can be fully restored. Sporting activities should not be resumed too quickly after trauma as the shoulder could dislocate again.
Aftercare (clinical check-up)
The patient should undergo a follow-up examination a few days after the trauma.
The orthopedist can recommend a new medication to relieve the pain; he must check that the joint has maintained its position and reassess the injuries to the other structures damaged by the trauma.
After the immobilization phase, which usually lasts about two weeks, the physical therapist will schedule a series of passive mobilization sessions to gently and gradually increase the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder.
In this way, the natural movement can be preserved and the risk of a new dislocation can be reduced.
If good progress is seen in range of motion, a muscle strengthening program must be initiated so that the patient can soon return to normal daily life.
Change in lifestyle
The following tips can promote healing and help alleviate symptoms:
- Rest your shoulder. Avoiding the strain that dislocated the shoulder as well as movements that cause pain. Avoid lifting heavy objects and overhead work until the shoulder is better.
- Apply ice compresses. Cooling ice on the shoulder helps reduce inflammation and pain. In the first two days, the cold pack should be applied in the morning at noon and in the evening for 15-20 minutes each. After two to three days, when the pain and inflammation subside, heat packs will help relax the tight, aching muscles.
- Painkillers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Ben-u-ron and others) help relieve pain. Follow directions and stop taking medication when pain subsides.
- The range of motion of the shoulder must be fully regained. After one or two days, as directed by the doctor or physiotherapist, careful physiotherapy exercises should be started to promote the range of motion of the shoulder. Complete inactivity causes severe joint stiffness and muscle wasting (weakness).
Once the dislocation has healed and shoulder range of motion has been regained, the exercise program should continue. Strengthening the shoulder muscles every day is a fundamental measure to prevent recurring shoulder dislocations.
The muscles that hold the humerus in the socket are part of the rotator cuff: the supra- and infraspinatus , and the subscapularis and teres minor.
Strengthening these muscles needs to be the focus, but don’t neglect the vertical stabilizers (biceps, triceps, and deltoids) either.
Recommended are exercises for internal and external rotation of the shoulder with fitness bands, as well as bending and stretching movements of the outstretched arm with weight cuffs.
Your doctor or physical therapist can help you develop an appropriate exercise program that you can perform regularly.
Results in shoulder dislocation
In order to prevent recurrence and allow complete healing of all damaged tissues, it is imperative to follow the doctor’s instructions. But even with the best treatment, a new dislocation of the shoulder can occur. About 90% of people under the age of 20 with a dislocated shoulder will experience a second shoulder dislocation.
From the age of 40, the shoulder dislocates again in only about 15% of patients.
If the dislocation occurs a second time on the same shoulder and mainly as a result of a minor injury (minor trauma), there is a possibility that the ligaments are damaged.
In this case, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the joint.
Prevention of shoulder dislocation
The following measures are recommended to prevent a dislocated shoulder:
- Take appropriate measures to prevent falls.
- Wear protective clothing when engaging in contact sports.
- Do regular strengthening exercises for the shoulder muscles .
- Anyone who has dislocated their shoulder is predestined for a relapse; to avoid the same injury, specific strengthening and stability exercises determined by the physiotherapist should be performed.
