Dislocated Shoulder, Shoulder Instability, and Shoulder Pain

It can result from a wide range of possible causes, including shoulder fractures. When your pain is accompanied by a “loose” feeling and lack of range of motion, it may be due to dislocation or instability.

Shoulder Dislocation

A dislocation occurs when the top of the upper arm bone moves out of the shoulder joint socket. Because this joint is so mobile, it can be very easy to dislocate the bone from the socket. The top of the upper arm bone (humerus) can partially or completely come out of the socket (glenoid).

Shoulder Instability

This condition develops when your muscles and ligaments are not strong enough to hold the shoulder bones securely in the socket. This can lead to multiple painful dislocations or prevent you from using the shoulder or lifting your arm.

Dislocations can occur as a result of any of the following events:

• Fall from a height
• Car accident
• Strong contact during sports

Shoulder instability can develop as a result of:

• Previous shoulder dislocations: The more often you experience shoulder dislocations, the less stable it becomes.
• Loose ligaments: Ligaments are the tissues that bind bones together. Shoulder ligaments can either be naturally loose or become loose over time, especially if you repeatedly bring your arm up over your head, as in swimming or tennis.

People with a dislocated shoulder may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Bruising
• Instability
• Muscle spasms

Someone with shoulder instability may experience numerous dislocations, along with any of the following symptoms:

• “Loose” feeling in the shoulder
• Shoulder pain
• Trouble lifting your arm

Our orthopedists are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating pain, dislocation, and instability. Our initial exam will generally include:

• Medical history evaluation – This includes asking questions about previous shoulder injuries and dislocations. It can also include questions about whether you have other medical problems, and if you take any medications.
• Physical exam – Your orthopedist will examine your shoulder and arm to evaluate your pain and sensitivity, strength, range of motion
• Imaging tests – Your doctor may want to examine the bones and joints themselves using a variety of imaging techniques, including:
• X-ray, which can help determine if you have any broken bones
• MRI, which uses powerful magnets and computer technology to create a picture of your muscles, tissues, and nerves to show if you have any tissue damage