Here are the basic definitions for a dislocated shoulder and separated shoulder:. Dislocated and separated shoulders share some of their common causes, which include:. Sports like football, hockey, rock climbing, rugby, soccer, skiing and volleyball pose a higher risk of dislocated or separated shoulders.
To diagnose one of these injuries, your doctor will give you an exam that may include X-rays to rule out broken bones or other injuries. Treatment for dislocated shoulders needs to be immediate, and a doctor will move the arm bone back into the shoulder socket. The longer you go without this happening, the more swollen and painful the joint will become.
Some pain will go away once the arm is back in the socket. Once the dislocated shoulder is repositioned, conservative treatments for pain and swelling will mirror those that can be used for a separated shoulder. These treatments include:. Recovery time for these injuries varies based on the severity. Separated shoulders can heal over a period of six weeks , while dislocated shoulders can range from three to 12 weeks. This will vary for everyone, as will the rate at which pain and other symptoms dissipate.
Going back to activity too soon could cause permanent damage. Orthopedics is rewarding for me because it allows me to help patients with injuries and get them back into action quickly. My classes in anatomy initially sparked my interest in medicine and also led me to choose orthopedics as a specialty. I love meeting people of all ages in my practice—I see kids, athletes, adults and retirees.
There are a few things you can do to lower your risk of sustaining a dislocated or separated shoulder:. October 27, Pain is usually at the very top of the shoulder. Your recovery may be slower if you have: Arthritis in your shoulder joint Damaged cartilage cushioning tissue between your collarbone and top of your shoulder blade A severe shoulder separation You may need surgery right away if you have: Numbness in your fingers Cold fingers Muscle weakness in your arm Severe deformity of the joint.
Self-care at Home. Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or bleeding. Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle. Do not give aspirin to children. You may be given a shoulder sling to use for a few weeks. Once you have less pain, begin range of motion exercises so that your shoulder does not get stuck in place.
This is called contracture or frozen shoulder. Check with your provider before doing any of these motions. After your injury has healed, do not lift heavy objects for 8 to 12 weeks are as instructed by your provider. If you continue to have pain, your provider will probably ask you to come back in 1 week to decide if you need to: See an orthopedist bone and joint doctor Begin physical therapy or range of motion exercises.
Outlook Prognosis. When to Call the Doctor. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you have: Severe pain Weakness in your arm or fingers Numb or cold fingers A sharp decrease in how well you can move your arm A lump on top of your shoulder that makes your shoulder look abnormal. Alternative Names. Related MedlinePlus Health Topics. A shoulder separation is almost always the result of a sudden, traumatic event that can be attributed to a specific incident or action.
The two most common descriptions of a shoulder separation are either a direct blow to the shoulder often seen in football, rugby, or hockey , or a fall on to an outstretched hand commonly seen after falling off a bicycle or horse. The diagnosis of shoulder separation is often quite apparent from hearing a story that is typical of this injury, followed by a simple physical examination. An x-ray should be performed to ensure there is no fracture of these bones.
If the diagnosis is unclear, an x-ray while holding a weight in your hand may be helpful. When this type of x-ray is performed, the force of the weight will accentuate any shoulder joint instability and better show the effects of the separated shoulder.
Separated shoulders are graded according to the severity of the injury and the position of the displaced bones and are graded from Type I to VI:. The treatment of the AC joint separation will depend on the grade of the injury. The initial treatment of a separated shoulder consists of controlling the inflammation, and resting the joint. The early steps of treatment should consist of:. Depending on the severity of the joint separation, surgery may be necessary.
Surgery is also an option for those AC joint separations that have not responded well to non-operative treatments. A variety of surgical methods can be considered to stabilise a separated AC joint, and these will be discussed individually with your surgeon. Common reconstructive surgical techniques today use either a screw or suture loop, and on some occasions an artificial ligament is used.
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