A dislocation is one of the most common injuries that affects a shoulder, but not all dislocations are the same. Some people experience a full and complete dislocation of the humeral head from the shoulder socket, while others experience what’s known as a shoulder subluxation or partial shoulder dislocation. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at partial shoulder dislocations, the mechanism of injury and how they can be treated with the help of a shoulder specialist.
Understanding Partial Shoulder Dislocations
As we noted above, a complete shoulder dislocation involves the humeral head being fully displaced from the shoulder socket. In a partial shoulder dislocation, the humeral head only partly shifts out of its normal position within the socket. Oftentimes this partial dislocation or subluxation is only momentary, and the soft tissues that help to hold the humeral head in place are stretched, but they end up pulling the humerus back into its proper location in the shoulder. However, sometimes the humeral head doesn’t shift back into position, and the partial dislocation remains until it is repositioned by a medical professional.
Even though the partial dislocation may be over in a moment, the soft tissues in the area will be stretched, strained and even torn as a result of this partial dislocation. This is why you may experience any of the following symptoms in the wake of a partial dislocation:
- Shoulder pain
- A feeling of instability in the shoulder area
- Reduced range of motion
- Numbness
- Tingling sensation
- Swelling
- Visible slumping or hanging of the shoulder and arm.
Partial shoulder dislocations tend to develop in a similar manner as total dislocations. Some of those causes include falls in which the individual attempts to brace themselves with their arms, direct trauma, injuries during athletics or as a result of muscular contractions that can occur during a stroke or a seizure. Sports that involve heavy stress on the arms and shoulders, like golf or baseball, can result in a partial shoulder dislocation.
Treating Partial Shoulder Dislocations
The vast majority of partial dislocation shoulder dislocations can be treated with conservative means. However, some people opt not to visit a doctor if their shoulder partially dislocates and then returns to the correct location on its own. This can be problematic, because a partial dislocation almost always presents with damage to the tendons and ligaments that hold the humeral head in the shoulder socket.
Left unaddressed, these tissues are weakened and will have an even harder time holding the humeral head in the socket. This leaves you highly susceptible to further injury, including another partial or a full dislocation.
Assuming the humerus has been repositioned back into the shoulder socket, treatment will involve protecting the area to allow for tissue healing and then working to strengthen the structures with physical therapy. Many patients rest the area or are given a brace or a splint to help protect the shoulder for a set period of time. Once the shoulder specialist is confident that enough healing has taken place, you’ll be referred to a physical therapist. Your PT team will develop some individualized physical therapy exercises to strengthen these stabilizing tissues, and they can also tailor your rehab to the activities you do most. If you want to get back to golfing or playing volleyball without pain, they’ll work to ensure you can safely return to athletic activities without increasing your risk of another shoulder injury. Pain medications and anti-inflammatories are also used throughout recovery to help keep discomfort at a minimum.
In very rare instances where the partial dislocation presents with damage to nerves or blood vessels, a minimally invasive operation may be recommended. Your surgeon can walk you through the specifics of this procedure should it become necessary, but most partial and full dislocations do not require surgical intervention.
For more information about shoulder subluxations or complete dislocations, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
