Dislocated shoulder

Updated: 2023-07-18

Description

An injury in which the upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder blade socket.

Overview

A dislocated shoulder is an injury in which the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of the shoulder blade. The shoulder is the body's most flexible joint, which makes it more likely to dislocate. A dislocated shoulder requires prompt medical care.

Symptoms

Symptoms include an out-of-place shoulder, swelling or bruising, intense pain, and an inability to move the joint. Shoulder dislocation also can cause numbness, weakness, or tingling in the neck or down the arm.

Treatments

Treatments include pushing the bone back in place by hand, surgery, a splint, pain relief medicines and rehabilitation.