Shoulder dislocation is a common injury in which the upper arm bone pops out of its usual spot in the shoulder joint. The shoulder is built to move in many directions, which can make it easier for the joint to slip out of place, especially from a fall or other impact.

Dislocated shoulders are often painful. When they happen for the first time, and in severe cases, the arm can become “stuck” or “locked.” With prompt treatment, most people recover well in a few weeks. For many, this involves a short period of shoulder immobilization followed by physical therapy. At times, surgery can also be a successful treatment option.

In a shoulder dislocation, the ball-shaped top of the upper arm bone (humeral head) comes out of the socket (glenoid) in the shoulder blade (scapula). Of all the joints in the body, the shoulder has the greatest range of motion, with a large humeral head and a shallow socket, similar to a golf ball on a tee. However, the increased shoulder movement also makes it the least stable and the most likely joint to pop out of place.

Several structures help stabilize the shoulder joint. A “bumper cushion” cartilage rim called the labrum deepens the socket to help with stability. Ligaments connect the bones to each other and reduce excessive motion. The joint capsule surrounds and encloses the joint, providing additional stability. A set of muscles called the rotator cuff surrounds the joint to hold the head in place. When a shoulder dislocates, tissues such as the labrum, capsule, and/or rotator cuff can stretch, tear, or become injured in a way that continues to affect shoulder function and makes additional dislocations more likely.

There are two levels of dislocation:

• Partial dislocation (also called subluxation): the ball partly comes out of the socket and sometimes relocates without assistance
• Complete dislocation: the ball leaves the socket entirely, and stays out until physically put back in place

Most shoulder dislocations are “anterior,” which means the head moves forward (toward the front of the shoulder) and out of the socket. Less often, the head moves backward (“posterior”) or downward (“inferior”).

A dislocated shoulder typically results from injury such as a fall, sports injury, car accident, or other strong forces that push, pull, or twist the arm and cause the ball of the upper arm bone to slip out of the socket. For example, falling on an outstretched arm or being struck during contact sports can lead to shoulder dislocation.

Violent muscle contractions during a seizure or an electric shock can cause the shoulder to dislocate out the back. In rare cases, the shoulder can dislocate downward if the arm is forcefully pulled above the head.

Certain activities, injuries, and body traits increase the likelihood of a dislocated shoulder. Active teens and young adults have a higher chance of shoulder dislocation. Males sustain about 70 percent of shoulder dislocations overall. Older adults who fall may also sustain shoulder dislocations that are often accompanied by severe rotator cuff tears and fractures.

Key risk factors include:

• Playing contact sports, such as football, basketball, or hockey, because of frequent falls and collisions
• Taking part in activities with a high chance of falling, such as cycling, skiing, or gymnastics
• Having a previous shoulder dislocation, especially if the supporting tissues did not heal fully, or a dedicated rehabilitation program was not followed (the risk of recurrence is high in those under 20 years of age)
• Having naturally looser ligaments or joints, also called joint laxity or hypermobility, and sometimes referred to as being “double jointed”
• Experiencing violent muscle contractions during seizures or electric shocks, which can cause the shoulder to dislocate

Most symptoms with a dislocated shoulder appear immediately after the injury. Main symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the shoulder, which often starts right after the injury and may worsen with movement or muscle spasms
• A visible change in the shape of the shoulder, such as a bump in the front or a flattening of the outer area, that makes it appear out of place or distorted
• Swelling around the joint that develops soon after injury
• Bruising near the shoulder or upper arm, usually appearing within hours or days
• Difficulty moving the arm, particularly when trying to lift it to the side
• Numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hand, which may signal that the nerves around the shoulder are being stretched
• Weakness and difficulty in lifting or rotating the arm
• Muscle spasms around the shoulder, which can increase pain and discomfort
• Apprehension (discomfort) when the shoulder is in the 90/90 position (throwing position with the shoulder and elbow bent at 90-degree angles)

In some cases, especially with partial dislocations, the symptoms may be brief and milder, and the joint may appear normal after the bones slip back into place. However, pain and a sense of instability can still be present.

Further, when a shoulder dislocates more than once, subsequent dislocations often become less bothersome and painful. This can be misleading and create a false sense of reassurance for some patients, sometimes leading to progressive bone loss along the socket (the glenoid). When the socket begins to lose bone, this can limit the available treatment options and their success rates.

To diagnose a dislocated shoulder, a doctor typically reviews the person’s medical history, with special attention to how the injury happened, what symptoms are present, and whether the shoulder has been dislocated before. Next, the doctor performs a shoulder examination, and orders one or more imaging tests.

During the physical exam, the doctor will first look for signs of deformity, swelling, and tenderness. They will also assess muscle strength and the “looseness” of the shoulder, triggering apprehension (a feeling that the shoulder is about to dislocate) if the diagnosis is not confirmed, or as a part of recovery to ensure resolution of symptoms.

Imaging tests help confirm the diagnosis, check for other injuries, and inform surgical planning, if necessary. Common tests include:

• X-ray to confirm joint position and detect fractures and prior conditions
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to detect tears in the labrum, ligaments, and rotator cuff
• Computed tomography (CT) scan to clarify bony details when a fracture or bone loss is suspected or X-rays are inconclusive
• Ultrasound is occasionally used to confirm a dislocation or check the position of bones
• Nerve conduction study or electromyogram (EMG) may be used if nerve injury is suspected

Treatment for a dislocated shoulder focuses on returning the joint to proper alignment (also known as reduction) as well as controlling pain and swelling. Ongoing care includes rebuilding strength before returning to usual activities.

Anyone who suspects a shoulder dislocation should seek medical treatment immediately. Attempting a shoulder reduction by oneself, without proper setup and support, increases the risk of further damage.

Main treatments for shoulder dislocation include:

• Pain medications and sedation to reduce discomfort
• Closed reduction, in which a clinician guides the humeral head back into the socket
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen and pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) after reduction, to help ease the pain and swelling
• Ice or cold packs applied several times a day after reduction to reduce swelling (never place ice directly on bare skin)
• Immobilization with a sling or other device to protect the joint during early healing
• Follow-up with an orthopaedic shoulder specialist within several days after the reduction to assess the condition of the shoulder, rule out other injuries, arrange for additional testing if needed, and plan for treatment to help with recovery
• Possible surgery to repair a torn labrum (Bankart repair) or reconstruct damaged bone, which is more common in complex cases or those with recurrent injuries
• Physical therapy, beginning with gentle motion, to strengthen the shoulder, restore function, and reduce the risk of repeat injury
• Additional follow-up care to monitor recovery and plan for a safe return to activities

For young people with first-time dislocations, especially athletes, surgery after a first-time dislocation to repair the labrum and stabilize the shoulder can lower the risk of future dislocations compared to physical therapy alone. Most people recover well with conservative treatment and/or surgery. Sometimes patients, particularly athletes, may need extra support and, at times, certain braces can offer additional protection of the shoulder during more risky activity.

A dislocated shoulder can lead to complications, especially if not treated promptly or if there is severe injury. Complications can also occur while trying to put the bone back into the joint. The main complications of a dislocated shoulder include:

• Nerve injury, especially to the axillary nerve, which can cause numbness or weakness in the shoulder or arm
• Blood vessel damage, which may lead to poor blood flow, a cool or pale hand, or swelling
• Tears of ligaments, tendons, or the labrum “bumper cushion” around the socket, all of which can cause ongoing pain or make the shoulder less stable
• Fractures of the upper arm bone (humerus) or the socket, which may require surgery
• Rotator cuff tears, leading to weakness or trouble lifting the arm, especially in people over 40
• Recurrent instability and dislocations, with the shoulder becoming increasingly unstable and more prone to come out of the socket, often due to stretched or damaged tissues, with potential to cause socket bone loss
• Stiffness or loss of motion in the shoulder, sometimes called “frozen shoulder,” if the joint is not moved during recovery

If there is sudden numbness, weakness, color change, severe pain, or loss of pulse in the arm after a dislocation, it is important to seek emergency care right away. To diagnose damage to blood vessels, doctors may order CT angiography and recommend vascular surgery.

The outlook for people with a dislocated shoulder depends on many factors, including age, activity level, the type of dislocation, and what other structures in the shoulder are damaged. Most people with a dislocated shoulder recover well, especially with prompt and proper treatment. Many return to their usual activities, including sports, after a period of healing and rehabilitation.

Younger, more active people have a higher chance of the shoulder dislocating again. Although older adults have a lower risk of repeat dislocations, they are more likely to have associated injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or fractures.

Keeping the shoulder muscles strong and following a rehabilitation program can improve long-term results and reduce the risk of future problems or recurrence. Regular follow-up with a doctor helps ensure the shoulder heals properly and stays stable over time.

“At Yale Medicine, we take a patient-centered team approach to shoulder instability treatment,” says Jim Hsu, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive shoulder, knee, and elbow surgery. “Our experienced orthopaedic sports medicine specialists offer the latest in evidence-based treatment carefully tailored to the individual patient, ranging from rehabilitation to arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery.”

Comprehensive care, Dr. Hsu adds, is coordinated between sports medicine shoulder specialists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers to ensure patients reach their specific goals.

“At Yale Medicine, we treat the full spectrum of shoulder instability from a first-time dislocation to complex, recurrent cases with bone loss,” says Christopher Schneble, MD, a Yale Medicine orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. “At Yale, we offer patients cutting-edge technology as part of their care, including 3D modeling that precisely maps each patient’s anatomy. Our multidisciplinary team excels at building individualized, patient-centered plans designed to get our patients back to doing the activities they love.”

This article was medically reviewed in June 2026.