After a Shoulder Dislocation
What happened and what the shoulder does now help guide the next step.
A fall, tackle, or collision
The arm is forced up and back and the shoulder comes out, usually needing to be put back in place.
Subluxation
The shoulder slips partway out and goes back on its own, often with a dead-arm feeling.
It keeps happening
Repeat dislocations or slips, sometimes with less force each time, can injure the labrum and bone.
Weakness after a dislocation
In adults, new weakness after a dislocation can signal a rotator cuff tear.
What a Dislocation Can Injure
Treatment depends on what was injured when the shoulder came out, and on your sport or work.
The labrum at the front of the socket can tear when the shoulder dislocates.
Labral repair →BoneBone LossRepeat dislocations can wear away bone on the socket or the ball, which affects the type of surgery.
Latarjet →TendonRotator Cuff TearsMore common with dislocations in older adults.
Rotator cuff tear guide →Young AthletesDislocations in Young AthletesYoung athletes in contact and overhead sports have a higher chance of the shoulder dislocating again.
Youth sports guide →KneeKneecap DislocationA dislocated kneecap is a different injury with its own treatment.
Kneecap instability →Shoulder PainOther Causes of Shoulder PainRotator cuff, biceps, and arthritis problems can cause similar symptoms.
Shoulder pain guide →A Measured, Conservative-First Approach
Many first-time dislocations are treated with rehabilitation. Stabilization is recommended based on the injury, your activities, and the chance of recurrence.
Accurate Diagnosis
Stability and strength testing, a check of nerve function and the rotator cuff, and imaging of the labrum and bone.
Rehabilitation First
After a first dislocation, many patients start with a period of rest followed by physical therapy to restore motion and strength.
Surgery When Indicated
Stabilization is considered for recurrent instability, significant labral or bone injury, or athletes at higher risk of another dislocation.
Criteria-Based Return
Return to sport is based on strength, motion, and stability rather than a set date.
What to Expect at Your Evaluation
Your first visit is focused on understanding the problem and outlining clear options.
How the shoulder came out, how it was put back, prior episodes, and your sport or work demands.
X-rays confirm the shoulder is back in place and check for a fracture. MRI or CT is used to evaluate the labrum and bone when it will guide treatment.
Findings and options are explained in plain language, with time for your questions.
When to Have a Shoulder Dislocation Evaluated
- After a first-time dislocation, once it is back in place
- Repeat dislocations or slipping
- Apprehension with the arm overhead or out to the side
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling after the injury
- Difficulty returning to sport or work
From Conservative Care to Surgical Options
Treatment is matched to the injury and your goals. Each surgical option is discussed along with its expected recovery.
Nonoperative Treatment
- A short period of rest in a sling for comfort
- Physical therapy for rotator cuff and scapular strength
- Activity modification and a gradual return to sport
This page is educational and does not replace an individual evaluation. Recovery after stabilization varies; see the shoulder surgery recovery guide.
Read More Before Your Visit
In-depth guides written to help you understand your diagnosis and recovery.
Bankart repair, and Latarjet when bone loss warrants it.
Recovery GuideShoulder Surgery RecoveryThe sling phase, the stages of physical therapy, and milestones for driving, work, and sport.
For ParentsYouth Sports InjuriesShoulder and other injuries in young athletes, and when a child should be evaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions
After a dislocation, an orthopedic evaluation checks the labrum, bone, and rotator cuff, helps plan rehabilitation, and assesses the chance of another dislocation.
It can. The chance of another dislocation is higher in younger patients, in athletes in contact or overhead sports, and when the labrum or bone is injured. Your evaluation helps estimate that risk.
Not always. Many patients start with rehabilitation. Surgery may be considered after a first dislocation in some young athletes or when imaging shows significant labral or bone injury, and is more commonly considered after repeat dislocations.
A Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum to the socket arthroscopically. A Latarjet procedure transfers a small piece of bone to the front of the socket and is generally considered when there is significant bone loss.
No. A dislocation means the ball has come out of the main shoulder socket. A separation is an injury to the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.
Call (484) 526-1735 during office hours or schedule online through St. Luke’s. Please ask about current appointment availability when you call.
Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Many plans allow direct access to orthopedic specialists, while others require a referral from your primary care physician. Office staff can verify your plan’s requirements when you call to schedule.
Questions After a Shoulder Dislocation?
Visits are at 153 Brodhead Road, Rear Entrance, Bethlehem, PA 18017, for patients from Bethlehem, Allentown, and across the Lehigh Valley.
Schedule Online at St. Luke’sCall (484) 526-1735