Symptoms of a dislocated shoulder include pain, swelling, numbness or bruising in the shoulder, which usually forces the patient to hold their arm at their side, slightly away from their body with their forearm turned outward. The normal rounded shape of the deltoid muscle is also usually affected. Sometimes a dislocation will tear ligaments or tendons in the shoulder or damage nerves. Muscle spasms can also occur after a dislocation, which can cause further pain.
Causes and Risk Factors
Usually a fall or sports-related injury causes a shoulder to dislocate. In about 95 percent of cases the top of the humerus sits in front of the shoulder blade, which is called an anterior dislocation. In 5 percent of cases, the top of the humerus is behind the shoulder blade, which is called a posterior dislocation. Such dislocations are usually caused by a seizure or electrocution.