Shoulder Dislocation
A traumatic glenohumeral dislocation is usually anterior after a fall onto an abducted, externally rotated arm; urgent controlled reduction depends on pre- and post-reduction neurovascular assessment and imaging, followed by rehabilitation and recurrence-risk review.
Definition
A shoulder dislocation is displacement of the humeral head from the glenoid fossa, usually anterior after trauma. It requires urgent assessment, controlled reduction and documented neurovascular examination before and after relocation.
First principles
Mobility makes the glenohumeral joint vulnerable
The shallow glenoid and relatively mobile humeral head provide a wide range of movement, with stability supplied by the labrum, capsule, ligaments, rotator cuff and coordinated scapular muscles. This mobility–stability trade-off makes the shoulder the most commonly dislocated major joint and means that soft-tissue and bony associated injuries matter as much as relocation itself.
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