Sports injuries
Dislocated Shoulder (Anterior Shoulder Dislocation): Symptoms, Treatment and Recovery
In short
A dislocated shoulder happens when the ball at the top of the upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder socket, and in most cases it pops out forwards. A doctor puts the shoulder back in place in hospital using pain relief or sedation, followed by a short time in a sling and physiotherapy. Recovery usually takes 6–12 weeks; the risk of it dislocating again is highest in young men who play contact sports, and for them surgery may be discussed after the first dislocation.
What is a shoulder dislocation?
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The round head of the upper arm bone (humerus) sits in a shallow socket on the shoulder blade. A rim of cartilage around the socket (the labrum), the ligaments and the rotator cuff muscles hold the joint in place [2].
In a dislocation, the ball comes fully out of the socket. Most dislocations are forwards, which is called an anterior shoulder dislocation. Sometimes the ball comes only partly out and slips back in by itself [2].
Symptoms
A dislocation is usually noticed straight away with sudden, severe pain. Common symptoms include [1][2]:
- Being unable to move the arm
- A visibly deformed shoulder that has lost its rounded shape
- Severe pain, swelling and bruising
- Numbness or weakness in the arm
Causes and risk factors
A shoulder dislocation usually results from a strong force. Falls or collisions during sport, falls from a height and road traffic accidents are the most common causes. Seizures and electric shocks can also dislocate the shoulder [2].
During the first dislocation, the labrum at the edge of the socket may tear; this is called a Bankart lesion. This tear and stretched ligaments can make the shoulder more likely to dislocate again [3]. The risk of recurrence is closely linked to age and is highest in young men who play contact or overhead sports [1][4].
Diagnosis
The doctor examines the shoulder and checks the nerves and circulation of the arm before putting it back in place. The check is repeated afterwards [4].
X-rays from two different angles confirm the dislocation and show any fracture, and are repeated once the shoulder is back in place [2][4]. An MRI or CT scan may be arranged later to assess ligament and cartilage damage. In people aged 40–60, the risk of a rotator cuff tear alongside the dislocation is higher, so an ultrasound or MRI is recommended [2][4].
Treatment without surgery
You should not try to push the shoulder back in yourself or let someone else do it; this should be done by a doctor in hospital. On the way to hospital, keep the arm still and supported; an ice pack can help [1].
In hospital, a doctor moves the shoulder back into its socket using pain relief or sedation. This is called a closed reduction, and it usually eases the pain a lot straight away [1][2].
The arm is then supported in a sling. Keeping the shoulder still for a long time has been shown not to lower the risk of it dislocating again, so moving early, as far as pain allows, is advised [4]. Physiotherapy starts with gentle movement exercises and then moves on to strengthening the muscles around the shoulder, usually over a few weeks to three months [2][4].
Surgical treatment
Surgery may be recommended for repeated dislocations or when there is ligament or bone damage. The operation tightens stretched ligaments, reattaches the torn labrum to the socket and, if needed, deals with bone loss [2][3]. It is usually done arthroscopically (keyhole); open surgery may be needed in complex cases [3].
Surgery after a first dislocation may be discussed especially for young, active people who play contact sports [2][4]. In a meta-analysis of randomised trials, about 6% of people who had surgery after a first dislocation dislocated again, compared with about 47% of those treated with a sling alone [5]. The decision is shared with the patient, taking into account age, sport and work goals, and examination and imaging findings.
Recovery
Recovery after a shoulder dislocation usually takes 6–12 weeks. Returning to sport can take longer, up to 16 weeks or more [1].
Keeping the muscles around the shoulder strong helps stop the joint from becoming loose and dislocating again. The doctor and physiotherapist decide together when it is safe to return to daily tasks and sport [1][2].
When to see a doctor urgently
Go to an emergency department straight away in the following situations. Do not drive yourself; call emergency services (112) if needed [1]:
Frequently asked questions
+Can a dislocated shoulder go back in on its own?
A partial dislocation sometimes slips back in by itself [2]. However, you should not try to put the shoulder back yourself; it should be done by a doctor in hospital [1].
+How long do I need a sling after a dislocated shoulder?
The sling is used only for a short time. Keeping the arm still for more than a week has not been shown to lower the risk of another dislocation, so early movement as pain allows is advised [4].
+How long does a dislocated shoulder take to heal?
Recovery usually takes 6–12 weeks, and returning to sport can take 16 weeks or longer [1].
+Should I have surgery after my first shoulder dislocation?
Young, active people who play contact sports have a high risk of it happening again, and surgery after a first dislocation lowers that risk considerably. Others usually start with physiotherapy; the decision is made together with the doctor [4][5].
Sources
- [1]Dislocated shoulder — NHS (nhs.uk), 2026.
- [2]Shoulder Dislocation — American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo).
- [3]Chronic Shoulder Instability — American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo).
- [4]BESS/BOA Patient Care Pathways: Traumatic anterior shoulder instability (Brownson P, et al.) — British Elbow & Shoulder Society / British Orthopaedic Association, Shoulder & Elbow, 2015.
- [5]Shoulder Stabilization Versus Immobilization for First-Time Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Level 1 Randomized Controlled Trials (Belk JW, et al.) — The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022.
This article is general information and does not replace an examination or personal medical advice. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department.