Shoulder dislocation
How a dislocated shoulder occurs
You can dislocate your shoulder if you fall on to your armheavily. Most people dislocate their shoulder while playing a contact sport, such as rugby, or in a sports-related accident.
In older people, the cause is often falling on to outstretched hands for example, after slipping on ice.
Shoulder dislocations can occur more easily in people who are highly flexible, such as those with loose joints (joint hypermobility) .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out about dislocated shoulder, including how a dislocation occurs, how to tell if your shoulder is dislocated, what to do, plus treatment and recovery.
How a dislocated shoulder occurs
You can dislocate your shoulder if you fall on to your armheavily. Most people dislocate their shoulder while playing a contact sport, such as rugby, or in a sports-related accident. In older people,
Have I dislocated my shoulder?
In most cases of dislocated shoulder, the ball part of the joint pops out in front of the shoulder socket. This is usually obvious because: you won't be able to move your arm and it will be very pa
What to do with a dislocated shoulder
Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think you've dislocated your shoulder. Don't try to pop your arm back in yourself you could damage the tissues, nerv
How a dislocated shoulder is treated
You'll be assessed and examined when you get to A&E. You'll usually have an X-ray to check whether you've broken any bones and confirm the dislocation. If you have a fracture, you may have furthe
Recovering from a dislocated shoulder
You can usually go home soon after your shoulder is put back in place, but you'll need to rest your arm in a sling for a few days while the pain settles. You'll need to return to hospital for follow-
Dislocating your shoulder again
The chances of dislocating your shoulder again will depend on your age and how well the tissues surrounding the joint healed the first time. It can help if the torn tissues were surgically repaired a
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