Ashok (name changed) was having a very normal day when suddenly he tripped and fell on his shoulders. He immediately felt a sharp, piercing pain in his right shoulder on which he had landed. When he stood up, he noticed that his right shoulder joint was protruding at an odd angle. He was also having difficulties moving his arm. 

Ashok was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder after visiting Dr. Banarji. B.H., the world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon at the Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center in Bengaluru. 

"Shoulder dislocations are usually caused by trauma, such as Ashok's, or by shoulder ligament laxations, which is a rare birth defect," says Dr. Banarji. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint which makes it extremely mobile. Since the shoulder joint can move in multiple directions, it is also the joint that gets dislocated very easily and more commonly. Shoulder dislocations occur when the humerus which acts as the ball pops out of the glenoid that acts as the socket.

Shoulder dislocations are classified according to the angle at which the shoulder is dislocated. The most common type of shoulder dislocation is an anterior shoulder dislocation, in which the humerus bone is forced outwards, towards the front of the body. Other types of shoulder dislocations include posterior dislocation, which occurs when the bone is forced out behind the shoulder joint, and inferior dislocation, which occurs when the patient is unable to lower their arm. Shoulder dislocations are also divided into two types based on how much of the humerus is out of the shoulder socket. These are partial and complete shoulder dislocations.

Shoulder dislocation is very common in athletes who participate in throwing activities or contact sports. "At Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center, we treat a large number of athletes on a regular basis who have various types of shoulder dislocations," says Dr. Banarji. 

Ashok was diagnosed with a complete anterior shoulder dislocation. "The first step in treating a shoulder dislocation is to try to pop the shoulder back into place. This procedure, also known as shoulder reduction, provides immediate relief from the debilitating pain that patients like Ashok experience," Dr. Banarji says. Though shoulder reduction appears to be a simple procedure, Dr. Banarji strongly discourages patients or bystanders from attempting it without professional assistance. "Popping the shoulder back without medical assistance may cause damage to the tissues, nerves, and blood vessels in and around the shoulder joint," Dr. Banarji warns.

Ashok underwent physical therapy for 6 weeks after the shoulder was reduced to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve mobility in the shoulder joint. "Ashok was fortunate because this was his first shoulder dislocation and he did not require surgical intervention," says Dr. Banarji. However, many people who have dislocated their shoulders experience recurring dislocations and require surgery to correct the condition.

 “Though a dislocated shoulder is a very painful and frightening condition, it can be treated easily with physical therapy, activity modification, and surgery,” assures Dr. Banarji.

CONTACT US 

Dr. Banarji Shoulder Center

3/4, 8th Main (Water Tank Road), CHBS Layout, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560 040.
Emergency: 9731274396

Appointment Mob:7760659606,  +91 78297 23606

Email:drbanarji@orthobangalore.com