Shoulder Dislocation Recovery: What to Expect and How to Prevent It from Happening Again

Stethoscope on top of X-ray showing shoulder dislocation

If you’re experiencing a first-time or recurrent shoulder dislocation, you’re likely wondering about the recovery timeline or how to prevent another injury. Although shoulder dislocations have high rates of recurrence, there are steps you can take to avoid re-injury. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, our multidisciplinary team provides fast access to high-quality orthopedic care, including shoulder dislocation treatment, near you in central and northern New Jersey. Here, we discuss shoulder dislocation recovery, treatment methods, and prevention tips.

Key Takeaways

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the top of the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, resulting in pain, weakness, and visible deformity.
Recurrent shoulder dislocations are common, especially for younger, active patients or athletes in high-contact sports.
Non-surgical treatment for a dislocated shoulder requires a closed reduction, immobilization, and several weeks of physical therapy.
Surgery may be required for shoulder dislocations, especially for patients with recurrent dislocations or those who also have damage to their ligaments or bones.
Recovery from a dislocated shoulder can span from six to 12 weeks for non-surgical treatment and three to six months for surgical treatment.
Interventional Spine & Surgery Group provides comprehensive orthopedic care, including shoulder dislocation treatment, in central and northern New Jersey.

What Happens When a Shoulder Dislocates?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, where the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into the shallow socket of the shoulder blade. A dislocated shoulder is an injury that occurs when the top of the humerus pops out of the shoulder socket. It can be either a forward (anterior) or backward (posterior) dislocation, although anterior dislocations are the most common.

Shoulder dislocations can be due to various causes:

Falls: If a person falls or trips and lands hard on an outstretched arm, it can force the shoulder to dislocate.
Sports: Athletes often get shoulder dislocations, especially those in contact sports like football who take heavy hits, or gymnasts or skiers who have hard falls.
Accidents: Vehicle collisions or other accidents where a person suffers a hard blow can force the humerus out of the shoulder socket.
Muscle pulls: Occasionally, people can experience severe, sudden muscle contractions from an electric shock or a seizure, which can cause a posterior dislocation.

Shoulder dislocations can cause symptoms like sharp pain, an inability to move the arm, swelling and bruising, weakness, and a strange or uneven shoulder shape.

Re-Dislocation Risk by Age and Activity

Shoulder dislocations have very high rates of recurrence, especially in younger people and athletes. People who play contact sports like football or hockey or participate in high-demand overhead sports have significantly increased chances of recurrent shoulder dislocations. As people age, their risk of recurrent dislocation decreases.

Re-Dislocation Risk by Age Group Table

Age Group	Activity Level	Re-Dislocation Rate
Teens	High	80% to 100%
20s to 30s	High	70% to 80%
30s to 40s	Moderate	40% to 50%
40s to 50s	Low	20% to 30%
50+	Low	10% to 15%

First Dislocation: Emergency Care and Reduction

If you’re dealing with a first-time dislocation, it’s important to seek prompt medical evaluation at an emergency room to get diagnostic imaging performed, your pain managed, and a controlled closed reduction from a medical professional. Never try to force the joint back into place yourself, as this can damage your nerves or blood vessels.

To control pain before you get to the ER, you can immobilize your arm by keeping it in the same position, whether using a sling or a soft pillow against the torso. You can also apply ice in 15- to 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling.

Once you’re at the ER, the medical team will order imaging scans, typically X-rays, to confirm the presence and direction of the dislocation and look for other injuries. If a dislocation is confirmed, you will be given pain medication to relax you before the provider performs a closed reduction, which involves manually guiding the humerus back into the shoulder socket. After the reduction, you will get another X-ray to ensure the joint is aligned properly. You will also have to wear a sling for one to four weeks to immobilize your joint and prevent movement while it heals.

What Is the Physical Therapy Protocol for Dislocated Shoulders?

After a dislocated shoulder is reduced and immobilized for a few weeks, physical therapy (PT) will begin. Guided by a physical therapist, you will perform therapeutic exercises that help to improve your range of motion, build strength, and increase dynamic stability.

PT typically starts with gentle exercises like pendulum swings and scapular squeezes and progresses into more involved movements like isometric holds, resistance band rotation exercises, and functional control movements with weight-bearing drills and balance training. Physical therapy often lasts for six to 12 weeks, but the protocol may be different if the patient requires surgical treatment.

When Is Surgery Recommended for a Dislocated Shoulder?

Most shoulder dislocations, especially first-time dislocations, are treated non-surgically with closed reduction, immobilization, and physical therapy. However, sometimes surgical treatment is required. The main reasons surgery may be needed for a dislocated shoulder include:

Recurrent dislocations: If a person experiences several repeated dislocations, surgery may be required to repair torn cartilage and ligaments and restore bone structure. This helps physically prevent the ball of the joint from slipping out of the socket.
Young and active patients: Young, active patients or athletes who play contact sports have a very high risk of recurrent shoulder dislocations without a surgical fix. Therefore, surgery is often necessary to help prevent future dislocations.
Severe soft tissue damage: If recurrent dislocations have caused severe damage to the soft tissues in the shoulder, such as the labrum or the ligaments, surgery is required to repair them.
Bone loss or fractures: Sometimes, pieces of bone can break off from the socket or the top of the arm bone during the injury, which may require surgery to fix.
Failed conservative care: If a patient doesn’t see relief from non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and immobilization after several months, surgical repair is the next step.

If a patient meets one or more of these criteria, surgery is often the best chance for lasting recovery and preventing the risk of re-injury.

What Are the Surgical Methods for a Dislocated Shoulder?

When surgery is recommended for a dislocated shoulder, there are two main procedures that are used:

Bankart Repair

A Bankart repair is a surgical procedure that re-attaches the torn labrum to the glenoid rim of the shoulder socket with suture anchors. It is used for recurrent shoulder dislocations that have caused a labral tear. The is most often performed as minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy, which involves small incisions, a camera, and specialized instruments.

Latarjet Procedure

A Latarjet procedure is a surgery used to repair recurrent front shoulder dislocations, especially when there is major bone loss on the shoulder socket. It is also used when the patient participates in high-demand contact sports or when they’ve had previous failed stabilizations.

The process involves moving a small part of the shoulder blade bone called the coracoid to the front of the socket. It is secured with screws to act as a physical bone block, preventing the humerus from slipping out again. It is generally performed as an open surgery.

What Is the Recovery Timeline for Shoulder Dislocations?

The recovery timeline will depend on several factors, including whether it’s a first-time or recurrent dislocation, the patient’s activity level, the patient’s age, and the type of treatment they receive.

Non-surgical treatment: Patients who receive non-surgical treatment can expect a recovery period ranging from six to 12 weeks. It includes closed reduction, joint immobilization, and several weeks of PT.
Surgical treatment: After a Bankart procedure, patients will need to use a sling for three to six weeks and attend PT for around three months. The full recovery takes three to six months. After a Latarjet procedure, patients will also need to wear a sling for three to six weeks and attend rehab for three months. They may be able to return to sports within six months.

Find Expert Shoulder Dislocation Care Near You in New Jersey

Whether you’re dealing with an initial or recurrent shoulder dislocation, prompt treatment is required. At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, we prioritize fast access to orthopedic care, ensuring patients get seen as quickly as possible. Here, we can see you now, we care, and we’ll help you get better. To learn more about shoulder dislocation recovery or to schedule an appointment near you in central or northern New Jersey, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Dislocations

How long does a dislocated shoulder take to heal?

It depends on the type of treatment received. For non-surgical treatment, recovery typically takes six to 12 weeks, while surgical treatment can extend recovery time three to six months or longer.

Can a dislocated shoulder heal without surgery?

Yes, many dislocated shoulders can heal without surgery, especially first-time dislocations. Treatment requires a closed reduction, immobilization, and physical therapy.

Why does my shoulder keep dislocating?

A shoulder may keep dislocating because of chronic instability caused by stretched or torn ligaments, a shallow socket, or loose joint tissues. When these support structures are damaged or stretched from an initial dislocation, it is easier for the joint to pop out again.

What is a Bankart repair?

A Bankart repair is a surgical procedure that is used for recurrent shoulder dislocations with a labral tear. It involves re-attaching the torn labrum back to the glenoid rim of the shoulder socket with suture anchors.

How long is recovery after shoulder stabilization surgery?

Recovery times will vary depending on the type of surgery you receive. For a Bankart procedure, recovery takes three to six months. For a Latarjet procedure, full recovery and return to sports typically can take around six months.

Is it OK to go back to sports after a shoulder dislocation?

Yes, it is generally OK to return to sports after a shoulder dislocation. However, the patient must ensure their shoulder is fully healed and strong, and get medical clearance from a doctor.

What exercises help strengthen a dislocated shoulder?

Exercises that are used to strengthen the shoulder after a dislocation include:

Isometric stabilization exercises, such as wall presses and pillow squeezes
Resistance movements, including internal and external rotations with bands
Scapular squeezes

These exercises should be done under the guidance of a physical therapist.

How do I prevent my shoulder from dislocating again?

Ways to prevent recurrent shoulder dislocations include:

Completing a structured physical therapy program
Strengthening the rotator cuff muscles
Avoiding high-risk overhead or contact movements when possible
Wearing a protective shoulder brace during high-risk activities

Some patients may require surgical stabilization to address shoulder damage that causes recurrent dislocations.