Shoulder Dislocations & Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder Injury Symptoms & Treatment
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What medications, if any, are recommended?

Your doctor may prescribe: (1) General anesthesia or muscle relaxants to make joint manipulation possible. (2) Acetaminophen to relieve moderate pain. (3) Narcotic pain relievers for severe pain. (4) Antibiotics to fight infection if surgery is necessary.

What activity is proper during rehabilitation and recovery?

Resume your normal activities after treatment. As far as diet, do not eat or drink before manipulation or surgery to correct dislocation. Fluid or solid food in your stomach makes vomiting while under general anesthesia more hazardous. During recovery eat a well balance diet. You can begin daily rehabilitation exercises when supportive sling is no longer needed and with the blessing of your doctor. Use ice massage for 10 minutes before and after exercise. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of the foam from the top so the ice protrudes. Massage firmly over the injured area in a circle about the size of a softball.

Call your Doctor if:

Be certain to call your doctor if you have difficulty moving your shoulder after dislocation, your arm becomes numb, pale, or cold after a dislocation. This is an emergency! Call your doctor if any of the following occurs after surgery: (1) Increased pain, swelling or drainage in the surgical area.(2) Signs of infection (headaches, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever ).(3) Constipation.(4) New, unexplained symptoms. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.(5) Dislocations that you can "pop" back into normal position occur repeatedly.