Shoulder injuries are one of the most common type of injuries seen by bone doctors like Best Orthopedic Surgeon in Karachi. Since this joint is the most mobile, it is vulnerable to dislocation injuries. Alternatively, the joint can also become separated—which is completely different injury. So, what are the questions that one should ask about dislocated shoulder? Read on to find out:
How Is The Shoulder Dislocated?
The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket type of joint, offering mobility in many axes. The upper arm bone is shaped like a ball, and it fits into the cuplike socket of the shoulder blade. This makes the joint easy to use, but also inherently unstable and vulnerable to injury, particularly during trauma and contact sport activities.
The shoulder is said to be dislocated when the arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. The dislocation can be partial or complete. In partial dislocation the ball pops out of the socket only halfway through. In complete dislocation there is complete movement of the top of the arm bone from the shoulder socket. In some cases, dislocated shoulder also involves tearing or overstretching injury to the supporting tissue of the shoulder joint.
Do I Have A Dislocated Shoulder?
The injury of dislocated shoulder is obvious. If you have dislocated shoulder you will be unable to move your arm, and your shoulder will have a squarer look, than the normally rounded one. It is a painful condition with a small bulge or lump under the skin on the front side of the shoulder. You may also experience tingling and weakness near the injury due to nerve involvement; in most cases, the neck and the arm tingle. When the muscles in the shoulder spam, the pain intensifies.
Dislocated shoulder is seen in injuries like accidents, particular vehicular accidents, sudden blow to the shoulder, falls—especially on outstretched arms like that from ladders or tripping, electric shock injuries which cause the muscles to contract and pull out of the arm, and injuries due to seizures.
Shoulder dislocation is common in contact sports such as downhill skiing, hockey, football, volleyball and gymnastics.
Who Is At Risk For Dislocated Shoulder?
The highest risk of dislocated shoulder is in people who are physically active; in particular, teenagers and young adults have high chances of dislocated shoulder. Dislocated shoulder is also common in people on other end of the age spectrum. Elderly women are prone to dislocating their shoulders after falls due to osteoporosis and bone weakness.
How Is A Dislocated Shoulder Diagnosed?
A thorough history and physical exam help to diagnose dislocated shoulder. The physical evaluation includes palpation of the involved shoulder to check for the tenderness and any visible bumps. The healthcare provider also checks the range of motion of the involved shoulder, with the degree of rotation. The physical exam along with the imaging helps to conclusively diagnose dislocated shoulder.
How Is Dislocated Shoulder Treated?
Dislocated shoulder needs treatment immediately. Before help comes, the patient is advised not to move the joint and use a sling or splint in the current position of the joint. The treatment is reduction of the dislocated shoulder, in which the ball of the arm bone is put back into the socket. This is followed by wearing a sling for at least a few weeks and rehabilitation with physical therapy to regain the strength and range of motion.
Prompt medical help must be sought from Best Orthopedic Surgeon in Islamabad if someone is suspecting dislocated shoulder injury so that the joint gains functionality within a few weeks. If the right treatment is delayed, healing takes longer and the joint becomes prone to repeated dislocations.
