Shoulder Dislocation: How It Happens and What to Do if You Suspect It

Although the shoulder is among the most flexible joints in your body, that flexibility has a bit of a trade-off. Because shoulders are more prone to instability and injury than many of your body’s other joints, a shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) is forced out of the shoulder socket (glenoid).

A dislocated shoulder is painful, and proper care is the best way to start healing and prevent recurrent instability. Under the umbrella of sports medicine and orthopedic services, at Manhattan Orthopedics, we treat dislocated shoulders, and here’s what we want you to know about dislocated shoulders — and what to do if you suspect you’ve sustained this kind of injury.

How shoulder dislocations happen

Shoulder dislocations typically result from trauma or strong force applied to the joint. Some of the most common issues we’ve seen inclue:

Sports injuries

High-impact sports like football, hockey, skiing, and basketball frequently involve collisions and falls that can dislocate your shoulder.

Falls

A fall onto an outstretched arm or directly onto your shoulder can push the joint out of alignment.

Repetitive motion

Overhead movements common in sports like swimming, tennis, baseball, or weightlifting can strain stabilizing structures in your shoulder over time. This can increase the risk of subluxation (partial dislocation) or full dislocation.

Overextension or twisting

A forceful reach, sudden pull, or awkward twist (when lifting a heavy object, for example) can sometimes dislocate your shoulder, especially if the surrounding muscles and ligaments are already weak.

Recognizing a shoulder dislocation

Dislocated shoulders are painful, and the injury causes abnormal positioning of the shoulder — however, not all cases look dramatic. Watch for symptoms like:

• Immediate, severe shoulder pain
• Pain with movement
• Inability to move your arm
• Visible deformity (your shoulder looks “out of place,” flattened, or squared-off)
• Swelling or bruising
• Numbness, tingling, or arm weakness
• Muscle spasm around the joint

If you notice these symptoms after a fall, collision, or sudden blow to your shoulder, seek urgent orthopedic care.

How to proceed if you think your shoulder is dislocated

Most importantly, do not try to “pop” your shoulder into place on your own. Improper joint manipulation can damage nerves, blood vessels, or joint structures and complicate future treatment.

Here’s what to do:

1. Immobilize your arm

Support the injured arm with a sling or by gently holding it close to your body. Avoid trying to force movement or reposition the joint yourself.

2. Seek medical evaluation

Consider going to urgent care, an emergency department, or an orthopedic provider as soon as possible. At Manhattan Orthopedics, our trained clinicians can assess your shoulder, confirm the diagnosis (usually with an X-ray), and determine the safest way to fix (reduce) the joint.

3. Try ice and pain management

While you wait for treatment, applying ice to your shoulder can help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also bring temporary relief, but they should not replace professional evaluation and treatment.

4. Follow your recovery plan

Depending on the severity of your injury, we may choose to manually reduce your shoulder. A trained specialist gently guides the humeral head back into the socket using techniques that minimize discomfort and reduce risk.

We may also prescribe physical therapy. Rehabilitation helps restore strength, range of motion, and stability to prevent repeated dislocations. A tailored therapy plan focuses on rebuilding the muscles around the shoulder and improving proprioception (joint awareness).

Some patients — especially those with recurrent dislocations, significant soft-tissue damage, or structural instability — may benefit from surgical repair. Our team assesses every case so that we can recommend the most appropriate path of treatment.

5. Avoid activity until cleared

For the initial healing phase, our team may provide you with a sling or brace to wear. Remember that using your injured arm, especially in overhead or weight-bearing motions, can worsen the injury. Rest and proper immobilization help protect your shoulder as it heals.

Although shoulder dislocations are painful and disruptive, they don’t have to define future mobility. Prompt, expert evaluation and thoughtful rehabilitation are key to getting back to what you love with confidence. If you suspect a shoulder dislocation, don’t adopt a “wait and see” approach. Seek professional orthopedic care.

Our Manhattan Orthopedics team is ready to guide you through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery and get you back to moving with stability and strength. Reach out to us at our offices in Astoria, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, New York, or book an appointment online now.