Shoulder dislocation
Understand the difference between urgent care for a dislocated shoulder and the rehabilitation that follows.
A suspected dislocation needs urgent medical assessment. Do not try to put the joint back yourself. Support the arm comfortably and seek emergency care, especially with numbness, weakness or a cold or discoloured hand.
What happens during a dislocation?
The upper arm bone moves out of the shoulder socket. A fall, collision or forceful movement can cause this injury. The shoulder may look different and be very painful or difficult to move. A joint that slips partly out and returns is sometimes described as a subluxation; this still deserves assessment.
The first priority is medical assessment
A clinician needs to check the joint and possible associated injuries. Reduction, which means returning the joint to its position, should be performed by an appropriately trained medical professional. Pain relief, imaging and checks of circulation and nerve function may be needed. A routine therapy appointment is not a substitute for this acute care.
Rehabilitation after the joint is managed
Follow the treating team’s instructions about sling use, protected movement and follow-up. Rehabilitation then works on movement, strength and control as appropriate. The programme should account for the injury, any associated fracture or tendon damage and whether surgery was required.
Confidence, recurrence and return to sport
Tell your clinician about episodes of slipping, apprehension or repeated dislocation. These can change management and may require specialist advice. Before returning to contact or overhead sport, discuss strength, control and confidence in sport-specific positions. Pain settling alone does not establish that the shoulder is ready for every load.
Make your appointment useful
Bring a brief history of the symptoms, relevant reports and your medicines list. Explain which activities matter most to you and what you have already tried. Ask what diagnosis best explains the findings, what would change that diagnosis and how you will measure progress.
Agree on what to do between appointments, how to adjust activity if symptoms change and when to review the plan. Tell your practitioner if treatment causes a new problem or progress stalls.
Finding care in Melbourne’s north
People in Epping, Mill Park, Lalor, Reservoir and surrounding northern suburbs can contact Muscle Joint Bone about an appropriate appointment. The clinic is at 26 Childs Road, Epping. Confirm the relevant practitioner’s scope and current availability when booking.
Sources and further reading
General education, updated November 2026. This information does not replace an individual assessment.
