What causes this injury?

• Trauma that forces the top of the arm bone to pop forward out of it’s socket all of the ligaments holding the joint together are torn.

What is the treatment?

• After the shoulder is put back into position, it is prone to repeat dislocation, particularly in younger, more active people.  Most people allow things to heal naturally and only have surgery if the shoulder comes out of place again. Other people may assess the risk of redislocation and choose to have surgical repair of the ligaments after the first dislocation.

What is the prognosis?

• The ligaments heal as well as possible over a year.  Full motion and most activities are allowed after a month.  Riskier activities are often delayed longer. Young, active people have a higher risk of repeat dislocation than older, less active people.