Shoulder dislocation and subluxation
A shoulder dislocation or subluxation occurs when the head of the upper arm bone comes out of its socket, causing severe pain, joint deformity, and potential damage to surrounding ligaments and tissue.
What causes a dislocation or subluxation?
Dislocations are typically driven by acute trauma or repetitive joint laxity: High-impact contact sports: Collisions and tackles in rugby, football, or martial arts. Traumatic falls or direct impacts: Falling onto an outstretched hand or experiencing a direct hit to the shoulder during skiing, cycling, or motor vehicle accidents. Repetitive stress or hypermobility: Individuals with naturally loose ligaments (joint hypermobility) may experience recurrent subluxation during routine overhead actions.
Primary symptoms
- Severe, sudden shoulder pain and an immediate inability to move the arm
- Visible joint deformity or a prominent 'step-off' gap beneath the outer shoulder blade
- Rapid swelling and extensive bruising around the joint and upper arm
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness down the arm, hand, or fingers (indicating nerve stretch)
- Muscle spasms around the shoulder as the body attempts to lock the joint
How is shoulder dislocation diagnosed?
Diagnosing a shoulder dislocation requires immediate clinical evaluation to assess joint alignment, nerve function, and blood flow down the arm.
How is it treated?
Treatment focuses on safely repositioning the joint, protecting healing tissues, and preventing recurrent instability.
Treatment routes for shoulder dislocation
Following reduction, the arm is placed in a protective shoulder sling for a few weeks to immobilise the joint. Initial care involves resting, applying ice packs (wrapped in a damp towel) for 15–20 minutes several times daily to reduce swelling, and taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Once immobilisation ends, a targeted physical therapy program strengthens the rotator cuff and scapular muscles to stabilize the joint.
Recovery from a shoulder dislocation
Immobilisation and protection
Your arm will be immobilized in a sling to protect the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Focus on controlling pain with ice and prescribed medication, alongside gentle wrist, hand, and finger movements to maintain circulation. If surgery is performed, keep dressings clean and dry until stitches are checked at 10 to 14 days.
Controlled weaning and passive mobility
Under physical therapy guidance, you will gradually discontinue the sling. Guided passive exercises begin to restore shoulder mobility without stressing healing anterior ligaments.
Active movement and progressive strengthening
Active movements are reintroduced. Physical therapy focuses on rebuilding rotator cuff strength, improving shoulder blade control, and restoring dynamic joint stability.
Functional conditioning and return to sports
Advanced strength conditioning and sport-specific drills are introduced. Full return to non-contact sports typically occurs between 3 and 4 months, while contact sports (such as rugby) and heavy overhead training generally require 4 to 6 months post-injury or post-surgery.
Working with professionals and teams
Our shoulder specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their shoulders. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Shoulder Treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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