Shoulder Dislocation
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The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body. The joint between the head of the humerus and the shoulder blade is the joint with the widest range of motion. The entire joint is surrounded by the joint capsule and a wide cartilaginous tissue (labrum glenoidale) is located on the surface of the scapula to increase the surface area of the articular groove. In addition to the above, the complex ligamentous system of the joint and the presence of active stabilising muscles, the rotator cuff the joint.
A shoulder instability one of the main causes of shoulder instability is loose and overstretched ligaments which do not stabilise the stumps properly and can lead to partial shoulder dislocation (subluxation) or complete dislocation of the joint.
Dr. Bálint Major
Shoulder Specialist
Chief Orthopedic Traumatologist
Online appointment booking for Bokor Street:
Please choose the service that suits you
The fee for a follow-up consultation is 35,000 Ft, within 3 months after the initial examination, for the same complaint.
- 1. Select the service you want from the drop-down box.
- 2. Use the calendar to choose a date that suits you!
- 3. Enter your details to register or login with your previous registration.
- 4. If you would like to book on behalf of someone else (e.g. your child), please let us know at the place indicated.
- 5. Briefly describe your complaints!
- 6. Choose the type of consultation: initial examination, control examination or prescription.
- 7. Click on the button to book your appointment. Thank you for choosing BMM!
If you are not able to come to the appointment you have already booked, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. This gives other patients the opportunity to get the medical care they need in time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Cancellation: +36 1 44 33 433
If you can’t find an appointment for the week of your choice , please call our call-centre on+36 1 44 33 433 for further assistance. Our staff will be happy to help you make an appointment with the doctor of your choice or another specialist according to your complaint.
In the case of a shoulder dislocation, the rotator cuff may also be damaged.
Dr. Bálint Major talked about rotator cuff syndrome in the magazine “Lifestyle”.
Development of shoulder dislocation
There are basically 2 well-defined causes of shoulder dislocation:
- Most often, some kind of trauma leads to shoulder dislocation. This trauma is the result of some kind of external impact. It is usually caused by a fall, other accident or sports injury.
For example, someone may have their shoulder dislocated, or they may fall on their outstretched arm or elbow and hit their shoulder indirectly. This causes the joint capsule, the labrum (cartilage ring that supports the articular cartilage) and ligaments to become severely stretched or damaged.This event results in the shoulder losing the function of its stability elements, or in simple terms, dislocating. - The other is when the shoulder dislocation is due to a congenital instability of the shoulder joint, or a traumatic dislocation contributes to the subsequent instability. In the vast majority of cases, forearm laxity is a congenital anomaly. In this type, the shoulder can be completely or partially dislocated in any direction without any particular trauma, even as a result of a wrong movement.
Causes of shoulder dislocation can be
- Trauma (ligament, labrum rupture, compression fracture of the joint head)
- Developmental abnormality, underdevelopment of the articular surface
- General joint laxity
- Disorder of muscle function
The shoulder dislocation can also be classified by direction
- Anterior-inferior
This is the most common of the shoulder dislocations, and is most common in younger people and active athletes - Posterior
Posterior shoulder dislocation is common in about 5% of cases - Multidirectional
The shoulder joint is abnormally mobile in more than one direction, often due to genetic predisposition, connective tissue weakness or previous injury
Symptoms of shoulder dislocation
The symptoms of shoulder dislocation are fairly easy to recognise. The person suffering a shoulder dislocation clearly feels that the limb is out of place, experiences severe pain and is unable to move the limb properly. Signs of dislocation, i.e. a dislocated shoulder, are clearly visible to the eye. The main symptoms of shoulder dislocation may include:
- Intense and very sharp pain
- Instability, feeling of insecurity during the intention to move the arm
- Deformation of the injured shoulder depending on the direction and degree of displacement
- Swelling of the joints
- Abnormal posture – displacement of the upper limb can cause the patient to be constrained, usually unable to straighten up completely
In some cases, the shoulder becomes so unstable that it often leaves the diaphragm regardless of activation. Recurrent dislocations often occur if the injury is not treated properly.
Replacing a dislocated shoulder
Shoulder dislocation can be treated conservatively (non-surgically) or surgically. The type of treatment depends on the extent and severity of the dislocation and other possible injuries to the shoulder.
It is important not to try to put the dislocated shoulder back in place at home. Medical attention is always needed to treat the problem correctly.
Treatment for shoulder dislocation
First and foremost, after the doctor has examined the limb, an X-ray is taken. The X-ray examination can determine whether a complex injury, such as a broken bone, has occurred.
- If there is no rupture or fracture, the dislocated shoulder is manually repositioned. That is, the doctor pulls the limb back into place. If this fails, the patient’s humerus is put back into the socket under anaesthesia.
- If the dislocation was traumatic and severe, with a broken bone or a rotator cuff tear, an intervention may be necessary. Surgical repair of a shoulder dislocation is usually performed arthroscopically. However, there are cases where open surgery is indicated. This is mainly necessary in cases with severe fractures.
More about shoulder dislocation surgery:
https://bmm.hu/muteti-kezeles/vallficam-mutet/
Dr. Balázs Gloviczki PhD
Chief Orthopedic-Traumatologist, Shoulder Specialist
Online appointment booking for Budafoki út clinic:
Please choose the service that suits you
The fee for a follow-up consultation is 35,000 Ft, within 3 months after the initial examination, for the same complaint.
- 1. Select the service you want from the drop-down box.
- 2. Use the calendar to choose a date that suits you!
- 3. Enter your details to register or login with your previous registration.
- 4. If you would like to book on behalf of someone else (e.g. your child), please let us know at the place indicated.
- 5. Briefly describe your complaints!
- 6. Choose the type of consultation: initial examination, control examination or prescription.
- 7. Click on the button to book your appointment. Thank you for choosing BMM!
If you are not able to come to the appointment you have already booked, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. This gives other patients the opportunity to get the medical care they need in time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Cancellation: +36 1 44 33 433
If you can’t find an appointment for the week of your choice , please call our call-centre on+36 1 44 33 433 for further assistance. Our staff will be happy to help you make an appointment with the doctor of your choice or another specialist according to your complaint.
The role of shoulder X-rays
In the case of a shoulder dislocation, the X-ray examination is the primary tool to help the doctor. Based on the X-rays, the doctor can decide which method to use to put the dislocated shoulder back in place.
After manual or surgical repositioning, another X-ray is taken, which serves several purposes:
- Check
Repeated X-rays are necessary primarily to make sure that the doctor is satisfied that the shoulder joint has been properly repaired. - Exclusion of injuries
Shoulder dislocation may be associated with the injuries already mentioned (fracture, crack or other injuries around the shoulder joint). These injuries may be small or hidden and not visible on the first X-ray examination. Once the shoulder is repaired, these abnormalities are easier to detect. - Avoiding complications
If the reduction is not correct, it can cause further injury or increase joint instability, which can lead to problems later on. Repeat X-rays will help to detect such potential problems early.
Shoulder dislocation healing time
The healing time for a shoulder dislocation, post-injury rehabilitation and return to normal activity takes 4-6 months, depending on the extent and severity of the shoulder dislocation. The rehabilitation of a dislocated shoulder is particularly important physiotherapyregardless of the type of injury and the treatment.
The best and most effective long-term treatment for dislocations caused by looseness of the shoulder is to strengthen and maintain the shoulder muscles. In the case of loose shoulder joints, this is the best way to prevent further dislocations.
In case of complaints, please contact Dr. Bálint Major shoulder surgeon, who has decades of experience in helping people to heal!
Most common complaints treated by our shoulder specialists:
Our shoulder specialist physicians
Dr. Bálint Major
Specialist in orthopedics and traumatology
Dr. Balázs Gloviczki PhD
Chief Orthopedic-Traumatologist, Shoulder Specialist
Dr. György Kocsis PhD
Orthopedic-Traumatologist, Chief Hand Surgeon, University Assistant Professor, Wrist, Elbow, and Shoulder Surgeon, Upper Extremity Specialist
Dr. Ferenc Tompai
Chief Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon