Dis 'n Dat Treatment for Dislocated Shoulders
When a shoulder dislocates, surgery isn't always needed. Sometimes all patients need is a sling to keep the shoulder from moving. The sling is used during the healing phase, which takes about six weeks. This type of treatment may work best for the patient who has dislocated the shoulder for the first time. The chances of dislocating again are generally less if there's no major damage to the soft tissues around the joint.
A second dislocation is likely if the bone has fractured or if the rim around the shoulder has torn. This is because the natural structures holding the joint in place have been damaged. All of these tissues, including the bone around the joint, help hold the joint steady and stable. Anyone with serious damage to the soft tissues around the joint will likely need surgery to repair the injured shoulder.
References: C. M. Robinson, BMedSci, FRCS(ED)Orth, et al. Redislocation of the Shoulder During the First Six Weeks After A Primary Anterior Dislocation: Risk Factors and Results of Treatment. In The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. September 2002. Vol. 84-A. No. 9. Pp. 1552-1559.
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