Shoulder Dislocation

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? A shoulder dislocation (dih-slo-k-shun) happens when the shoulder blade bone and upper arm bone come out of place. You may dislocate your shoulder more than once. Each time your shoulder is dislocated, it is easier for it to happen again. It may take weeks for your shoulder to heal. Sometimes, you can also have a small fracture (broken bone) in the shoulder or nerve injury.

Causes: An injury or an accident, like a fall on an outstretched hand often causes dislocated shoulders. Sometimes a disease of the joint makes the shoulder easier to pull out of place.

Signs/Symptoms: You may see a bump in front or behind your shoulder. Your shoulder may be swollen, red, or hurt. Your shoulder and arm may feel weak, numb, or tingly. You will not be able to move the injured shoulder very well. Your caregiver will put the shoulder bones back in place. You may have pain for 24 to 48 hours.

Care:

• You may need an x-ray taken of your shoulder. Caregivers will then put the bones back where they belong. This may be painful until the bones are popped back into place. You may need to wear a sling after it is fixed, to keep the shoulder from moving until it is healed.
  
  
• Put an ice pack on your shoulder to lessen pain and swelling. Caregivers may teach you how to fix your shoulder if the bones keep coming out of place. Call your caregiver each time the bones come apart and you have to reset them. Sometimes surgery is needed to fix a shoulder that keeps coming 'out of joint'. You may take acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-min-o-fin) or ibuprofen (i-bew-pro-fin) to help the pain. Do not take ibuprofen if you are allergic to aspirin.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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