Glenohumeral dislocation is a painful separation of the bone and socket of the shoulder joint, often caused by a traumatic injury. Anterior dislocation is more common than posterior dislocation, and young people are at higher risk of further dislocations. Treatment involves immobilization and physical therapy to improve range of motion and strengthen muscles. Vigorous exercise is safe after six weeks, but young adults should wait three months. Swimming is a recommended exercise to strengthen the joint without further risk of injury.
Glenohumeral dislocation is a dislocation of the shoulder, which can be caused by a traumatic injury such as a sports injury or by weakening of the capsular ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint. The term glenohumeral refers to the name of the bone and socket of the shoulder. The bone that fits into the shoulder socket is the humerus and the socket is called the glenoid. In a glenohumeral dislocation, the bone and socket separate, and the head of the humerus lifts completely out of the socket.
The glenohumeral shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body. Anterior glenohumeral dislocation, in which the head of the humerus is displaced above the joint, is the most common type of shoulder dislocation. Posterior dislocation, in which the head of the humerus is displaced below the shoulder joint, is much less common. Approximately 95% of shoulder dislocation cases occur as a result of a traumatic injury. The dislocation is extremely painful and may require initial sedation with narcotic pain relievers, followed by several days of pain management medications.
People who have had an episode of shoulder dislocation have an increased risk of experiencing further dislocations. Young people up to about age 20 are at a higher risk of further dislocations after an initial episode. This is thought to be due to the higher activity level of young people, rather than factors directly related to age. Severe injuries during an initial dislocation also increase your risk. Such injuries include fracture of the glenoid socket or tearing of the rotator cuff muscles that support the joint.
First-line treatment of glenohumeral dislocation involves replacing the humeral bone in the glenoid socket, which is often as painful as the dislocation itself. Over the next two to three weeks, the arm is held in a sling to immobilize the shoulder joint and allow for healing. Physical therapy is very limited during this time and involves exercises to improve range of motion in the hand, wrist and elbow.
The next phase of treatment for glenohumeral dislocation begins two to three weeks after the initial injury. Elderly people with this injury are usually advised to start shoulder exercises first, to relieve stiffness in the joint. The goal of physical therapy is to improve range of motion in the shoulder with exercises that gradually increase the rotation and flexion of the joint.
About six weeks after a glenohumeral shoulder dislocation, vigorous exercise is safe for most people. Young adults are the exception, due to the high risk of another dislocation episode. These patients are advised to wait three months before adding strenuous exercise to their physical therapy routine. Exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles are especially helpful, especially for people who have damaged muscles during the dislocation episode. Swimming is also recommended as an exercise that helps strengthen the joint without further risk of injury.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
