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Dislocated Your Shoulder? Here’s What to Do Next

Published: 21 Mar 2025

Shoulder dislocations can be both painful and frightening, especially for athletes and active individuals. In fact, the shoulder is the most frequently dislocated joint in the body, making up 50% of all dislocation injuries. If you’ve recently dislocated your shoulder—or want to be prepared if it happens—this post is for you.

At The Healthy Body Company, with clinics in Penrith, Jordan Springs, Mount Annan and Caringbah, our skilled physiotherapists specialise in guiding you through the best recovery path, whether surgical or non-surgical. Keep reading to learn how dislocations happen, what to do immediately after injury, and how expert physiotherapy can help you confidently return to your favourite activities.

What Is Traumatic Shoulder Instability?

Traumatic shoulder instability usually occurs after an impact injury—like falling on an outstretched arm (we see that all the time at Touch Football) or suffering a direct blow to the shoulder. This often results in an anterior dislocation, which accounts for about 95% of all shoulder dislocations.

Anterior dislocation is the most common type, and occurs in 95% of cases.

How common is shoulder dislocation?

• Around 20–200 per 100,000 athletes sustain a shoulder dislocation each year.
• 72% of these occur in men.
• The highest-risk age group is 16–20 years old, often due to intense sports participation or physical work.

Immediate Steps: What Should You Do After a Dislocation?

1. Get the Shoulder Relocated ASAP

• • If you’re reading this, hopefully your shoulder has already been put back in place by a qualified medical professional or skilled physiotherapist.
  • Delaying relocation can lead to damage of the nerves and blood vessels around the shoulder.

Steve Cunningham in action at a Touch Football tournament with a player whose shoulder is dislocated, which is incredibly painful until the shoulder is relocated.

1. Scans and Assessments

• • An X-ray often follows relocation to rule out fractures.
  • MRI may be needed to further assess soft tissue damage (like labrum, tendons, etc.). This decision is made in collaboration with your physiotherapist, GP, and possibly an orthopaedic surgeon.

Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Management

When Non-Surgical Management should be considered

Non-surgical rehabilitation is a popular path for certain low-risk groups and specific injury characteristics:

• First-time dislocation
• Age over 25
• Bony defects of the glenoid/humeral head less than 25%
• Non-contact / non-overhead throwing sports
• Individuals who don’t play high-risk sports or work in high-risk occupations

What does non-surgical rehab involve?

• Rest and Immobilisation: A period in a sling to allow initial healing.
• Targeted Physiotherapy: Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder (rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers), improving range of motion, and teaching proper biomechanics.
• Progressive Return to Activity: Gradual increase in activity under professional supervision to minimise the risk of re-injury.

When Surgical Management Is Considered

Surgery may be recommended for higher-risk populations more prone to repeated dislocations, such as:

• Age under 25
• Contact sports or overhead throwing (e.g., rugby, baseball)
• Significant bony defects (>25% of the glenoid or humeral head)
• Large labral lesions (>25%)
• Rotator cuff tears over 50%
• Recurrent instability or failed non-surgical rehab

What Are the Surgical Options?

An orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in shoulders should be consulted to determine what type of surgery is most suitable for you. There are various differing surgical options, including:

• Arthroscopic Labral/Capsular Repair: Shown to reduce dislocation rates to about 10–15%.
• Latarjet Procedure: Creates a bony block to prevent dislocation, potentially reducing dislocation rates to 5–10%.

The Numbers: What Does the Evidence Say?

Non-Surgical Success Rate: About 50% of people with an anterior shoulder instability episode can avoid future dislocations without surgery.

High-Risk Recurrent Dislocations:

• Ages 15–25 participating in contact or overhead sports face an 80–90% chance of recurrence without surgery.
• Over 40 years old, this recurrence risk drops to 10–15%.

How Physiotherapy Supports Your Recovery

1. Individualised Treatment Plans

Our Penrith, Jordan Springs, Mount Annan and Caringbah physiotherapy clinics tailor programs to your specific injury, whether you opt for surgical or non-surgical management.

2. Muscle Activation and Strengthening

Physiotherapists use targeted exercises to stabilise and support the shoulder, reducing the load on injured structures and decreasing the likelihood of re-dislocation.

3. Improving Range of Motion

We utilise myofascial restoration techniques and mobilisation exercises that help restore normal shoulder movement without putting undue stress on the healing tissues.

4. Education and Prevention

Understanding proper biomechanics, posture, and safe return-to-sport guidelines can significantly lower future injury risks.

Ready to Recover? Contact The Healthy Body Company

If you’ve experienced a shoulder dislocation—or want to proactively prevent one—our team of expert physiotherapists is here to help.

Don’t let a dislocated shoulder sideline you for longer than necessary – and don’t develop a chronic instability. Get in touch with The Healthy Body Company to start your guided rehabilitation journey and reclaim your active lifestyle.

References

1. Varacallo, M., Musto, M. A., & Mair, S. D. (2022). Anterior shoulder instability. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
2. Nabian, M. H., Zadegan, S. A., Zanjani, L. O., & Mehrpour, S. R. (2017). Epidemiology of joint dislocations and ligamentous/tendinous injuries among 2,700 patients: five-year trend of a tertiary center in Iran. Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery, 5(6), 426.
3. Eljabu, W., Klinger, H. M., & Von Knoch, M. (2017). The natural course of shoulder instability and treatment trends: a systematic review. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 18, 1-8.
4. Monk, A. P., et al. (2015). Evidence in managing traumatic anterior shoulder instability: a scoping review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(5), 307-311.
5. Kavaja, L., et al. (2018). Treatment after traumatic shoulder dislocation: a systematic review with a network meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(23), 1498-1506.
6. Boone, J. L., & Arciero, R. A. (2010). First-time anterior shoulder dislocations: has the standard changed? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(5), 355-360.

Final Takeaway

A dislocated shoulder doesn’t have to spell the end of your athletic journey or daily comfort. With the right support, clear guidance, and an effective rehabilitation plan, you’ll be back to enjoying the activities you love—stronger and more confident than ever. Reach out to The Healthy Body Company today to learn more about how we can help you regain your shoulder stability and overall well-being.