Shoulder Dislocations

Sometimes the bones in the shoulder joint slip out of normal alignment or are forced out by injury-subluxation and dislocation. For those individuals who suffer from chronic shoulder instability, dislocations may occur frequently. This occurs because first dislocations usually require a significant amount of force as in anterior dislocations, in which the anterior static shoulder stabilizers are stretched or torn away from the bone. Approximately 95% of shoulder dislocations are this type and typically occur when a person falls on their outstretched hand, or sustains a downward motion blow to the shoulder.

Until recently it was common in cases of dislocation to immobilize the shoulder for long periods of time. But studies showed that while immobilization helped alleviate the pain of such injuries, it also contributed to a general weakening of the ligaments and predominance of adhesive capsulitis.

In one alarming study of 245 patients who had suffered a combined 247 shoulder dislocations, about half of those treated with immobilization had recurring dislocations within the 10 year period of the study. The problem was much greater in the study’s younger people (teens and twenties). This is one of the few situations where older folks have an advantage, because their connective tissue are less elastic, the risk of dislocation is less likely.

Surgery for shoulder separations can be effective for some but as always, surgery should be considered a last option because of issues of complications, down time (immobilization), and for the “weekend warrior,” or professional athlete, a weakening of the shoulder through the removal of and damaging of other connective tissue in the surgical process.

Shoulder Arthritis
There are many types of arthritis, but most often in the shoulder, it is triggered by an initial trauma. It can also involve “wear and tear” of the tissues of the joint, causing inflammation, swelling and pain. Often people will react by instinctively limiting their shoulder movements in order to lessen the pain. This can lead to a tightening or stiffening of the soft tissue parts of the joint, resulting in yet further pain and restriction of motion. In the worst cases, adhesive capsulitis occurs and the arm can not be moved.

Referred Pain
The musculature of the shoulder area is fertile ground for trigger points, as is evidenced by the prevalence of a “stiff neck” and referred pain radiating anteriorly, laterally or posteriorly from all three of the major scalene muscles into the arms, chest or vertebrae. Trigger points from the trapezius muscles can refer pain to the head and down the arms.

Okay, You Know About The Problems and Pain, Now What?
A proper diagnosis of shoulder pain is essential to determine the root cause of the problem and the proper method of treatment. Because many shoulder conditions are caused by specific activities, a detailed medical history is an invaluable tool. A physical examination should also include screening for physical abnormalities—swelling, deformity, muscle weakness, and tender areas—and observing the range of shoulder motion—how far and in which directions the arm can be moved.
Since it’s been proven to strengthen the connective tissues, and has the benefit of over fifty years of testing to back it, Prolotherapy is arguably one of the best choices of treatment in cases of dislocation, rotator cuff tendonitis, muscle tissue impingement or recurring instability.