Ways To Treat Shoulder Subluxation
A shoulder subluxation happens when the humerus bone in the upper arm partially dislocates from the shoulder joint. Since the shoulder joint allows for a wide range of movement of the arm, it is one of the easiest areas to dislocate. It can be caused due to trauma from a fall or impact injury or from abnormal movement of the arm in any direction. It usually presents with swelling, redness, weakness, and extreme pain as torn ligaments often accompany a subluxation. A shoulder subluxation is different from a full dislocation, but it can be hard to tell without having an x-ray. Sometimes a shoulder subluxation can pop back into its socket on its own, but it is imperative to seek medical attention if it does not.
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Wear A Sling For Immobilization
Once the bone has returned to its original position whether on its own, from a closed reduction, or from a surgical procedure, one should wear a sling for immobilization. Immobilizing the arm and shoulder will help keep the bone in its socket while the ligaments and tendons heal. This will prevent repeat shoulder subluxation or complete dislocation. This will also help minimize unnecessary movements, as well as pain intensity. Minimizing movement or stretching of the arm will help speed recovery. A sling should fit comfortably around the neck while holding the lower arm at a ninety-degree angle to the upper arm. If too much pressure is put on the neck, further injury could result.
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Take Pain Medication As Directed
If a doctor must put the arm back into its socket with a closed reduction, patients may be given a pain reliever beforehand to help minimize pain during the procedure. Pain medication for a shoulder subluxation may also be prescribed after the procedure if the pain is severe. If surgery is required, pain medication will be prescribed for the days following surgery. It is important to take pain medication as directed as some prescribed medicines can become addictive when used incorrectly. Many prescribed pain medications should only be necessary for a few days. If pain medication is needed long term, patients can use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
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Closed Reduction
This procedure is the act of manipulating the arm bones back into place after a shoulder subluxation by a doctor or other skilled individual. It can be performed during a doctor visit or in the hospital. Typically, the patient is given an intravenous sedative or a local injection to lessen the pain associated with the procedure. When the bone appears to be back in its place, an x-ray is usually taken to verify the shoulder is in the right position and no further damage has occurred. Once confirmed, the patient can be referred to an orthopedic doctor for physical therapy, further testing of joint stability, and to ensure there is no further ligament or tendon damage.
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Physical Rehabilitation
Because a shoulder subluxation can include torn tendons and ligaments along with an unstable shoulder joint, it is common to have recurring subluxations after the first one. Physical rehabilitation can help to strengthen connecting tissues and the shoulder joint itself, mitigating the chances of repeat injuries to the shoulder. Physical therapy techniques will be modified depending on a few different factors including severity of the subluxation, if it is recurrent, how much tissue is damaged, the amount of instability in the shoulder, and the activity level of the patient before the injury. The goal of physical rehabilitation is to regain the arm's prior range of motion. It is most often useful if surgery has been performed on the subluxation.
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Surgical Repair
Surgical repair of a shoulder subluxation can be necessary if it keeps recurring. A surgeon can attempt to fix whatever is causing the lack of stability in the shoulder joint. This can include torn ligaments, fractures in the socket or humerus, socket tears, and rotator cuff tears. Tiny incisions, referred to as arthroscopy, are made in the shoulder area. If the injury is severe, a larger incision will be made to perform the surgery. Complications, like with any surgery, can include infection or scar tissue. Patients may not regain full use of the shoulder after surgery, so physical therapy is always recommended. Recovery can take up to six weeks and even then, sharp movements with the arm should be avoided for a few months.