About Dislocation
Dislocation of the shoulder typically occurs from falling onto an
outstretched arm or a blow to the side or back of the shoulder when
falling on it. This can happen in different sports activities or falls.
Dislocations are managed medically to relocate the head of the humerus
bone. Depending on the severity of the dislocation, your physician will
typically prescribe physical therapy to help stabilize the shoulder
joint and protect it during a recovery phase.
With frequent dislocations, the shoulder can become unstable as many structures in the shoulder get damaged and become too lax. By strengthening the muscles around the shoulder, stability can be increased in the shoulder, preventing future dislocations.
At times, dislocations can be quite severe and lead to tearing of cartilage, tendons, ligaments or muscles. In this case, surgery is often needed. After surgery physical therapy is an important part of recovery and returning to normal activities.
How physical and/or occupational therapy helps
Physical and occupational therapy are very important after a dislocation. Our trained therapists work with you closely to protect the joint while it heals,
teach you how to take care of your injury and gently rehabilitate your
shoulder. During the healing phase, your shoulder will be protected and
pain will be addressed.
Per your physician's protocol we will gradually increase your range of motion, maintaining your joint stability. Further into therapy, gentle strengthening is performed to improve the muscle support around the shoulder. Ideally, full range of motion and strength is recovered allowing you to return to normal activities and with the knowledge to protect your shoulder from further injury. Call us today to find out how we can help you quickly recover from a shoulder dislocation.
