Take These Steps Immediately If You Suspect a Dislocated Shoulder

Your shoulder is a large and complex joint that forms the connection between your collarbone, shoulder blade, and upper arm bone. The upper arm ball joint fits loosely in the shoulder socket joint, giving you the ability to raise your arm overhead and scratch that itch in the middle of your back.

Unfortunately, the loose-fitting joint also makes it vulnerable to dislocations, which is when the ball joint pops out of the socket. A dislocated shoulder is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.

So, what do you do before you get to Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland for urgent care? Here, our skilled providers describe what you need to do immediately if you suspect you have a dislocated shoulder. 

Is it a dislocated shoulder?

Anyone can dislocate their shoulder. This type of injury may occur during a car accident or a bad fall onto your shoulder or outstretched arm. A dislocated shoulder is also a common sports injury. 

How do you know if it’s dislocated? Pain and shoulder instability are the two most common symptoms of a dislocated shoulder, whether the dislocation is partial (subluxation) or complete. Your shoulder joint may look out of place or deformed. 

You may also have swelling and bruising in the shoulder or upper arm and numbness in your hand, fingers, or neck.

If you have any of these symptoms, you need medical care right away. Dislocating your shoulder can stretch and damage the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that help keep the joint together. You need immediate medical attention to assess the damage so you get the right treatment.

Steps to take right away

Despite what you may see on TV, you don’t want to try and put your shoulder back in place if you think it’s dislocated. Trying to fix your shoulder without proper medical care can lead to more soft tissue damage.

If you suspect you have a shoulder dislocation, you first need to immobilize the injured joint. Make a sling to support the injured arm and secure it in a position that limits shoulder movement. You also want to ice the shoulder to reduce swelling and control any internal bleeding. 

Diagnosing and treating the dislocation

When you come to Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland for a suspected dislocated shoulder, we first examine the injury and take X-rays. Once we confirm that you have a dislocated shoulder, we give you medication to stop any muscle spasms and relieve pain. We then perform a closed reduction procedure, manually putting the ball joint back into the shoulder’s socket.

You should experience an immediate improvement in pain following a closed reduction. However, your injury care isn’t over, and the stretching of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that occurs during a shoulder dislocation makes you more susceptible to future dislocations.

You must wear a sling to rest the shoulder joint for a few days or a few weeks, depending on the severity of the damage. When the pain and swelling resolves, you start rehabilitation to strengthen the shoulder muscles, restore mobility, and reduce risk of another shoulder dislocation.

If you suspect you have a dislocated shoulder, you need medical care right away. Our urgent care and emergency medicine specialists can provide the treatment you need. Call our office in Midland, Michigan, or book an appointment online right now.