Shoulder or Elbow Dislocation
The ball joint of the upper arm rests in a fairly shallow socket, making the shoulder one of the most vulnerable joints to dislocation. The result is a very flexible arm that can be moved in a wide variety of ways, but it also lacks stability. Overstretching or tearing may occur in the supplementary tissues that stabilize the shoulder joint. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone’s humerus is dislodged from its socket at the shoulder joint, more commonly to the front. In extreme cases, posterior shoulder dislocation can happen. Highly flexible individuals, such as those with lax joints or joint hypermobility, are more prone to shoulder dislocations.
In addition, dislocations may harm blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, and tendons and even fracture nearby bones. Symptoms of a dislocated shoulder may include discoloration or bruising, restricted mobility, muscle numbness and weakness, and a misshapen or misaligned shoulder. Shoulder spasms can also occur.
A dislocated shoulder may be caused by a hard fall onto an arm. This condition is common in contact sports like rugby or in sports-related accidents. Another frequent scenario is when an elderly person falls into their extended hands. After repositioning, the recovery time for a dislocated shoulder is between 12 and 16 weeks.
