Dislocated shoulder

Dislocated shoulder
Anterior dislocation of the left shoulder.
SpecialtyEmergency medicine, orthopedics
SymptomsShoulder pain
ComplicationsBankart lesion, Hill-Sachs lesion, rotator cuff tear, axillary nerve injury
TypesAnterior, posterior, inferior, superior
CausesExtreme rotation, traumatic impact
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms, X-rays
TreatmentShoulder reduction, arm sling
MedicationProcedural sedation and analgesia, intraarticular lidocaine
PrognosisRecurrence common in young people
Frequency24 per 100,000 per year (US)

A dislocated shoulder is a condition in which the head of the humerus is detached from the glenoid fossa. The shoulder is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body, comprising 50% of all joint dislocations. Symptoms include shoulder pain and instability.

There are multiple types of shoulder dislocation, with anterior dislocation being by far the most common, comprising 97% of all shoulder dislocations. Less common types includes posterior (2-4% of all shoulder dislocations) and inferior shoulder dislocation (<1% of all shoulder dislocations), as these latter types tend to involve a traumatic accident and/or impact. Shoulder dislocations can also be divided into subluxation (partial dislocation) or full dislocation.