What is Subluxation?
The shoulder is a highly mobile ball and socket joint. The ball of the upper arm bone (humerus) is held in place at the socket (glenoid) of the shoulder blade (scapula) by a group of ligaments. A partial dislocation of the shoulder joint is termed as a subluxation. This means the ball has partially moved out of the glenoid as opposed to a dislocation, where the ball completely moves out of the glenoid.
Causes of Subluxation
Subluxation usually occurs from falls or a direct blow to your shoulder. It can also be caused due to a previous shoulder injury or if the ligaments in your shoulder are loose. Subluxations tend to recur due to laxity in the ligaments.
Symptoms of Subluxation
Subluxation of the shoulder includes the following symptoms:
- A feeling that your shoulder has moved out of place
- Pain, numbness or weakness of the injured shoulder
- A feeling of looseness of the shoulder
Diagnosis of Subluxation
Subluxation of the shoulder is diagnosed by a review of your medical history and symptoms, and a thorough physical examination of your shoulder. Your doctor may also recommend X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and identify any fractures of the shoulder joint.
Treatment for Subluxation
Subluxation of the shoulder is treated with rest, ice packs and NSAIDs to reduce the pain and inflammation. You may be referred to as physical therapy for shoulder strengthening exercises to help prevent recurrence. Surgery may be required to repair the ligaments if conservative treatment measures do not prevent further subluxations.
Other Shoulder Condition Topics:
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis
- Baseball and Shoulder Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Pain
- Massive Retracted Rotator Cuff Tear
- Bicep Tendon Rupture
- Proximal Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Long Head Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Proximal Biceps Tendinitis
- Shoulder Pain
- Internal Impingement of the Shoulder
- Sternoclavicular Joint (SC joint)
- SLAP Tears
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Shoulder Labral Tear
- Shoulder Labral Tear with Instability
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Trauma
- Subluxation
- Little League Shoulder
- Frozen Shoulder
- Clavicle Fracture
- Glenoid Fractures
- Proximal Humerus Fractures
- Shoulder Disorders
- Hill-Sachs Lesion
- Thrower’s Shoulder
- Overhead Athlete’s Shoulder
- Snapping Scapula
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Impingement
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Acromioclavicular Joint Injury
- Shoulder Fracture
- Scapula Injury
- Biceps Tunnel Disease
- AC Joint Injury
- Revision RC Repair
- Revision Repair