A dislocated shoulder happens when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder joint, and the pain it causes can stop you from moving your arm at all. A hard fall, a collision during contact sports, or a sudden blow can all force the joint and the humerus apart. Every dislocation needs medical treatment, and what you do in the minutes before help arrives can protect the joint from further damage and keep the person as comfortable as possible.
How to Recognise a Dislocated Shoulder
A dislocated shoulder is hard to miss when the signs are obvious, but milder cases can be mistaken for a bad sprain or instability. Here is what to watch for:
A changed shape. The shoulder may look square or flat instead of round. You may see a bulge where the bone has shifted, or a dip where it should sit. Compared with the uninjured side, the outline of the shoulder will look wrong.
Severe pain and locked movement. The person will hold the arm close to their body and refuse to let anyone move the shoulder. Pain and swelling build quickly around the joint. The arm may hang at an odd angle.
Pins and needles, numbness, or a cold hand. When the bone moves out of position, it can press on or stretch the nerves and blood vessels around the shoulder. If the person’s fingers feel numb or tingly, or the hand looks pale or feels cold compared with the other side, blood flow may be affected.
A partial slip. Sometimes the bone slides partly out of the shoulder socket and then slips back into place on its own. The joint may look normal afterward, but shoulder pain, a loose feeling, and stiffness remain. A subluxation still needs a medical check because stretched or torn ligaments can lead to the shoulder dislocating again later.
If you are unsure whether the injury is a dislocation or a fracture, treat it the same way: keep the arm still and get the person to a doctor.
First Aid Steps for a Shoulder Dislocation
Before you touch the shoulder, make sure the area around you is safe and call Triple Zero (000). Once you have called for help:
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Sit or lie the person down in whatever position hurts least. Talk to them calmly and keep them still.
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Support the arm exactly where it is. Place the injured arm against the person’s chest and hold it there with a sling. A folded towel or shirt tied around the neck works well. Do not try to straighten or reposition the arm.
- Give over-the-counter pain relief. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce the pain while you wait for medical help. Follow the dosage instructions on the packet and tell the treating doctor what was given and when.
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Check the hand and fingers every five minutes. Feel for a pulse at the wrist and look at the colour and warmth of the fingers. If the hand goes pale, cold, or blue, or the person loses feeling, gently shift the arm to try to bring blood flow back.
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Stay with the person until paramedics arrive. Watch for signs of shock, such as fast breathing, pale or clammy skin, or confusion. A dislocated shoulder can cause enough pain that some people feel faint or sick.
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink as this can interfere with surgery if the emergency department determines that it is necessary.
What Not to Do When Your Shoulder Dislocates
Do not try to push the bone back in. Forcing a dislocated shoulder back into the socket can break bone, tear the rotator cuff, or damage nerves and blood vessels.
Do not move the shoulder. Avoid lifting, twisting, or straightening the arm. Even small movements can tear more of the soft tissue around the shoulder and make the pain worse.
Do not use heat or ice. Heat draws more blood to the area and increases swelling. Cold packs reduce pain, but also swelling which is a natural part of the body’s healing process,
Do not wait it out. The longer a dislocated shoulder stays out of position, the more the surrounding shoulder muscles spasm and swell, which makes it harder for a doctor to put the bone back. Seek emergency care straight away.
Other Common Shoulder Injuries and Their First Aid
Several injuries around the shoulder can look or feel similar to a dislocation. First aid follows the same core steps for each: keep the arm still and get to a doctor ASAP.
Rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and control how it moves. The main signs are pain when you raise or lower the arm, weakness, and a crackling feeling in the joint.
Separated shoulder (AC joint injury). A separated shoulder affects the joint where the collarbone meets the tip of the shoulder blade. A direct fall onto the point of the shoulder can tear the ligaments, leaving a bump on top of the shoulder.
Shoulder fracture. A broken collarbone, upper arm bone, or shoulder blade causes severe pain, bruising, and an inability to move the shoulder.
Why First Aid Training Matters
The first aid for a dislocated shoulder depends on getting medical help quickly. Calmness and the correct first aid can mean the difference between a straightforward recovery and lasting damage. A first aid course lets you practise those steps under real pressure, so the sequence is second nature before you ever need it.
FAQs
What Happens When the Doctor Puts the Shoulder Back In?
The procedure is called a closed reduction and usually takes about 30 minutes. You will be given sedation or strong pain relief so the muscles around the shoulder relax enough for the doctor to guide the bone back into the socket.
What Is Shoulder Subluxation?
Subluxation is the medical terminology for a partial dislocation.
What Does Rehabilitation Look Like After a Dislocated Shoulder?
While the arm is still in a sling, a physiotherapist will prescribe gentle hand, wrist, and elbow exercises to stop those joints from stiffening. Once the sling comes off after one to two weeks, supervised shoulder exercises begin, starting with range of motion and progressing to strengthening the rotator cuff and the muscles around the shoulder blade. The full process runs several weeks to a few months.
