Shoulder Dislocation
Care for a dislocated shoulder with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — from getting the joint back in place and rehab, to surgery when the shoulder keeps slipping or the injury damaged the labrum, rotator cuff, or bone.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
A dislocation happens when the ball of the upper arm bone comes out of the socket, usually from a fall, a sports injury, or a vehicle collision. A partial dislocation is called a subluxation. Most dislocations go forward (anterior); backward dislocations can follow a seizure or electric shock.
- Labrum and ligament tears, such as a Bankart tear at the front of the socket
- Fractures of the socket or the top of the upper arm bone
- Rotator cuff tears, especially in older adults
- Rarely, injury to nerves or blood vessels
Once a shoulder has dislocated, it is more likely to do so again, especially in young, active people.
Is surgery right for you?
A dislocated shoulder is an emergency. Do not try to force it back in yourself; go to the emergency room, where it is usually put back in place (closed reduction) with sedation and pain medication. After that, many dislocations are treated without surgery:
- A sling until your follow-up visit
- Ice several times a day and anti-inflammatory medication when it is safe for you
- Physical therapy to restore motion, then strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles
Surgery may be recommended if the shoulder cannot be put back in place, keeps dislocating, or has significant injury to the labrum, rotator cuff, or bone. For some young athletes, it may be discussed after a first dislocation. An MRI or CT scan is often ordered after the shoulder is back in place.
How the surgery is done
The operation depends on what was injured:
- Labral repair and capsule tightening — usually arthroscopic, reattaching the torn labrum and ligaments to the socket with suture anchors
- Rotator cuff repair — when the dislocation tore the cuff; see rotator cuff repair
- Fracture fixation — when the top of the arm bone is broken; see proximal humerus fracture
- Bone-restoring procedures — when repeated dislocations have worn away bone from the socket
- Open reduction — rarely, when the shoulder cannot be put back in place without surgery
Keeping it from happening again
Whether or not you have surgery, strong, well-coordinated rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles help keep the shoulder in place. Keep up your home exercises after formal therapy ends, and ask Dr. Ward about protecting the shoulder during sports.
Recovery overview
Typical ranges only. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ based on the injury and whether surgery is needed.
Without surgery
- Sling until your follow-up visit, then gentle motion
- Physical therapy progresses from motion to strengthening
- Return to sports once motion and strength are back and the shoulder feels stable; some athletes use a brace
After stabilization surgery
- Sling typically for 2–6 weeks
- Light-lifting limits for up to 12 weeks
- Sport-specific training around 12 weeks; full healing typically at 4–6 months
After rotator cuff repair
- Recovery follows Dr. Ward’s rotator cuff protocol, including six weeks in the sling
- Motion builds in weeks 7–12 and strength through months 3–6
- Details are on the rotator cuff repair page
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- New or worsening numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand once the nerve block has worn off, or fingers that turn pale, blue, or cold
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, ice, rest, and the sling
- Swelling, pain, or tenderness in the calf or arm that is new or getting worse
- The shoulder dislocates or slips out again (go to the ER if it stays out of place)
It is normal for the shoulder and arm to feel numb for roughly 12–24 hours after a nerve block, and for the shoulder to be sore and bruised for a while. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Shoulder post-op hub
All of Dr. Ward’s shoulder packets, rehab protocols, and anatomy guides in one place.
Open pageRotator cuff repair
What happens when a torn rotator cuff tendon is repaired, and the week-by-week rehab plan.
Open pageProximal humerus fracture
Treatment options for a break at the top of the upper arm bone.
Open pageExercise guides
Printable home exercise programs to use with your physical therapist.
Open pageOrthoInfo: Shoulder dislocation
Patient education on dislocated shoulders from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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