Peer Reviewed Patient Education

What are the signs and symptoms of a dislocation?

If the shoulder is dislocated, it is usually very apparent:

The shoulder is quite painful.
Motion is severely restricted.
The shoulder appears to hang down and forward, with a large dimple evident under the acromion (in the area of the collar bone).
The humeral head may be visible as a bump on the front of the shoulder, or in the armpit.

To return the dislocated arm to its socket (called a reduction) usually requires a visit to the emergency department, where expert assistance can be found. Some individuals with recurrent dislocations eventually become experienced at reducing the arm themselves.

At Seaport we believe in meeting patients' individual needs through comprehensive evaluation and treatment, designed to help achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. Seaport physicians take the time to know you and work with you from your initial symptoms or injury, through every aspect of your recovery. Our goal at Seaport is to enable our patients to get back to a full active lifestyle as quickly and safely possible.

Our group is comprised of various physicians whose specialties include orthopaedic surgery, treatment of the hand, knee, spine, hip, foot and ankle, physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management.