Dislocated Shoulder

What is a Dislocated Shoulder?

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone (humerus) is forcefully displaced from its socket in the shoulder joint—often due to a fall, sports impact, or accident. This traumatic injury typically causes intense pain, swelling, and restricted mobility, and may also involve damage to surrounding tissues.

If you suspect a dislocation, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention at an emergency facility to have the joint safely reduced (put back into place). Once the shoulder is stabilized, Westlake Sports Medicine can guide your recovery—offering expert care to restore range of motion, rebuild strength, and reduce the risk of future dislocations through targeted therapy and personalized support.

Common Symptoms of Dislocated Shoulder:

Severe shoulder pain
Swelling and bruising
Limited range of motion
Visible deformity or bulging
Tingling or numbness in the arm
Weakness in the affected arm and shoulder
Instability or feeling of the shoulder “giving way”

Potential Causes of Dislocated Shoulder:

• Traumatic injury or impact
• Falls, especially onto an outstretched hand or directly onto the shoulder
• Sports-related activities with a high risk of collisions
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sudden jerking motions or excessive force applied to the arm
• Weakening of the shoulder ligaments due to repetitive strain or previous dislocations

Treatment Options for Dislocated Shoulder

If you’ve experienced a shoulder dislocation, your first step should be to seek immediate medical attention—typically in an emergency setting—for proper joint reduction. Once the shoulder has been safely realigned, Westlake Sports Medicine provides expert follow-up care to support a complete recovery.

We begin with a detailed assessment, including a physical exam and imaging (such as X-rays or MRI) to evaluate any soft tissue damage. From there, we develop a personalized treatment plan focused on restoring mobility, rebuilding strength, and preventing future dislocations— using conservative, non-invasive therapies whenever possible.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine involves innovative treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections. PRP injections use your blood components to promote healing, while stem cell injections introduce stem cells to aid tissue repair and regeneration.

Functional & Integrative Medicine

At Westlake Sports Medicine, our approach to shoulder dislocations emphasizes whole-body recovery—not just symptom relief. We address underlying factors such as muscle imbalances, joint instability, and systemic inflammation that may affect healing and increase the risk of reinjury.

Your personalized recovery plan may include targeted physical therapy, custom exercise programming, and nutritional strategies designed to optimize shoulder function, build resilience, and support long-term joint health.

Last Resort: Arthroscopic Surgery

In cases of severe or recurrent dislocations, surgical intervention may be considered as a last resort. While Westlake Sports Medicine focuses on non-surgical recovery, we work closely with trusted orthopedic surgeons who perform arthroscopic procedures to repair damaged tissue and stabilize the shoulder when conservative care is no longer effective.

Our role is to help you avoid unnecessary surgery whenever possible, and to guide your preand post-operative recovery should surgical repair become the most appropriate option.