How to identify and treat shoulder dislocation
Dislocation of the shoulder is a painful situation, but it is not always easy to perceive by the general population, some of the most common causes are the practice of some sport such as swimming, basketball or volleyball, a car accident or the improper lifting of a heavy object in the gym, for example.
- When the arm bone.
- Which is the humerus.
- Returns only to the shoulder joint.
- Which is the gleno-humeral.
- This fact is called subluxation.
- Which can only cause pain at this point.
- Without immobilizing it.
- Or any other.
- But if this subluxation occurs with any frequency.
- It is necessary to strengthen the muscles in that area to prevent it from happening again.
Sometimes dislocation of the shoulder can also cause lesions in the rotator cuff tendons, requiring physical therapy for recovery. It is possible to know if these tendons have been affected if the pain persists even after full healing of shoulder movement.
Signs and symptoms of the dislocated shoulder include
The person usually holds the shoulder of the opposite hand because they know the shoulder has moved, but the precise diagnosis should be made by a specialist. Sometimes an x-ray exam may be needed to better assess the injury and identify if there is any significant damage, such as a bone fragment in the affected joint. Your doctor may also order an MRI to evaluate tissues such as the joint capsule itself, tendons, and ligaments.
Here’s what to do if your shoulder is dislocated.
The most suitable treatment for dislocation of the shoulder should be indicated by the orthopedic doctor after observing the age, joint position and health of the person. To relieve pain, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory.
Your doctor may put the joint back in place, then the area may be bandaged by placing your arm against your chest to recover the tissues involved. Immobilization can be maintained for 3 weeks depending on the patient’s age, health style and overall health. Person.
Once the immobilization is removed, it may be necessary to recover the movements through the stretches performed, respecting the limit of the pain. In some cases, when the limitation is severe, physical therapy may be needed to strengthen the muscles and prevent the episode from repeating itself.
Surgery is indicated in young people or athletes, especially in cases of damage to the glenomeral lip, loosening of the joint capsule or shoulder tendons to repair these tissues and also to prevent future dislocations in people who present several episodes of dislocation or subluxation when year. Surgery is usually performed by arthroscopy because recovery is faster, but in all cases physiotherapy must be submitted for a few months until the integrity and dynamics of the shoulder are completely recovered.
For people who perform physical activity, it is recommended not to train the injured arm and shoulder during the first month, performing only physical therapy exercises. Athletes usually return to competition at 5 or 6 months of setting.
It is indicated after immobilization or surgery to recover range of motion, muscle strength and stabilize the shoulder joint, thus avoiding further dislocations. The physical therapist should evaluate the person and tell them the most appropriate physical treatment as it may vary from person to person. Sessions usually begin 3 weeks after the injury and can last for months, especially if surgery is performed.
Physiotherapeutic treatment can be performed using strategies to relieve pain, increase range of motion, heal wounds, develop muscles and stabilize the shoulder joint. Some treatments that may be helpful are muscle relaxation, myofascial release with hands, a tennis ball, a rigid foam roller or Vacuum therapy Arm muscle stretching exercises in all directions, as well as trapezium in the neck area, should be gradual insertion exercises with elastic band known as elastic band to gradually increase muscle endurance.
To stabilize the shoulder when there is no longer pain and it is possible to perform exercises with the elastic without pain or movement restriction, clinical propioception exercises and Pilates can be introduced.