Immobilizing the affected arm and shoulder with a sling or brace for four to six weeks is crucial for helping a dislocated shoulder heal. This allows the muscles and other soft tissues to rest and recover.
Here's a breakdown of what typically helps:
- Immobilization: Using a sling or brace is the primary treatment. This prevents movement that could further injure the shoulder.
- Rest: Avoiding activities that stress the shoulder joint is vital during the healing process.
- Ice: Applying ice packs to the shoulder (e.g., 15-20 minutes, three times a day for the first 2 days) can reduce swelling and ease pain.
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage discomfort. A doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication if needed.
- Physical Therapy: Once the initial healing has occurred, a physical therapist can guide you through exercises to restore range of motion, strength, and stability to the shoulder.
- Reduction: Often, a doctor needs to manually "reduce" or put the shoulder back into its socket. This is usually done shortly after the dislocation occurs. Anesthesia may be used to make the process more comfortable.
- Surgery: In cases of recurrent dislocations or damage to the surrounding tissues, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the shoulder joint.
In summary, treatment for a dislocated shoulder primarily involves immobilization, pain management, and physical therapy. Medical intervention, such as reduction and potentially surgery, may also be required depending on the severity and circumstances of the injury.
