Dislocated Shoulder

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Pack the injury with ice for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your skin.
• After the first 1 to 2 days, you may put heat on the injury to help ease the pain. Use a heating pad (set on low), a whirlpool bath, or warm, moist towels for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for 48 hours.
• If you are wearing a sling, keep it on all the time. If you take the sling off to dress or bathe, be careful to avoid lifting or moving the arm.
• If you are wearing a special splint, keep it on until your doctor says you can remove it or until your follow-up visit. If your fingers get numb or tingly, you may need to loosen the splint. If you don't know how, ask your doctor for instructions.
• Take any medicine the doctor prescribes exactly as directed. Do not increase the dose or frequency. If the medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving. Over-the-counter medications may be used for pain.
• If you are given a tetanus shot, your arm may get swollen, red, and warm to the touch at the injection site. This is a normal reaction to the medicine in the shot.

Call Your Doctor If...

• The pain or swelling gets worse.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• The arm on the same side as your injury becomes numb or tingly, or the skin looks pale or feels cold.