Shoulder Dislocation

What causes a shoulder dislocation?

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint and the body's most mobile joint, which allows you to position your hand in space 360 degrees around your body. This mobility, however, also makes the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate.

A subluxation or partial dislocation is when the head of the humerus is partially out of the socket (glenoid). A dislocation means it is all the way out of the socket. Both cause pain and instability in the shoulder.

The joint is stabilised by the soft tissues surrounding the socket- the labrum, a cartilaginous rim of the glenoid cavity, the capsule, and a series of ligaments that enclose the joint. Injury and trauma can tear or stretch the labrum and ligaments, causing instability and dislocation of the joint. Repeated dislocations will lead to bone loss from the glenoid.

Risk factors for shoulder dislocation

Once you have dislocated your shoulder once, you are at a very high risk of re-dislocation.

The younger you are when you dislocate the shoulder, the higher your risk of re-dislocation.

The more times you dislocate your shoulder, the higher the risk of ongoing instability

Loose or lax ligaments increase your risk. People that play repetitive overhead sports such as AFL, swimming, volleyball or weightlifting are at risk.

Surgery For Shoulder, Hip and Knee

Conditions For Shoulder, Hip and Knee