Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

Symptoms of a Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

• Instant pain in the shoulder.
• Loss of shoulder function - difficulty and pain on trying to move the shoulder.
• The shoulder will appear deformed.
• The patient holds the arm in an adducted and internally rotated position (i.e. with the arm by the side and twisted inwards).
• The head of the humerus can be felt at the back of the joint.
• Swelling.

Causes

Posterior dislocations of the shoulder most frequently occur for two reasons:

• A direct impact to the front humeral head, pushing it posteriorly.
• A fall onto an outstretched arm.

Both of these situations can occur in sports, especially contact sports, but also traumas such as car accidents and epileptic seizures where the individual thrashes the arms violently.

Treatment of a Posterior Shoulder Dislocation

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Do not try to move the shoulder or put it back yourself.
• Once at hospital, a Doctor will examine the injury.
• Investigations such as an X-ray or MRI will be conducted to check for associated fractures or soft tissue damage.
• Pulses and sensations in the arm, wrist and hand will also be checked to determine if there is any nerve or blood vessel damage.
• Treatment depends on the extent of the dislocation and how long the shoulder has been dislocated.
• In cases without associated fractures and where the dislocation is minor it can be reduced (popped back in!) by a doctor. Muscle relaxants, sedatives or anesthetic may be given to allow this.
• The shoulder will then require rest to allow the sift tissues to heal, followed by a rehabilitation programme to regain full movement and strength.
• In more complex cases involving fractures, extensive soft tissue injury or damage to blood vessels or nerves, surgery may be required to reduce the humeral head and repair injured structures.
• Again a period of immobilisation and rest will be required, followed by a rehabilitation programme.