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Shoulder joint dislocation

ACG dislocation – accidental injury of the shoulder joint

If the shoulder joint is injured in an accident or by direct force, a shoulder joint dislocation or ACG dislocation may result. Different variants can occur, all of which have severe pain, tenderness and the so-called piano key syndrome with a springy collarbone in common.

As a center for orthopedics, we are happy to provide you with advice and support in the event of a shoulder joint dislocation at the Orthopedic Center Munich East (OZMO). Make your appointment with our experts, who include Prof. Dr. med. habil. Peter Diehl as a specialist for injuries and diseases of the shoulder joint counts. In addition, learn more about ACG blasting directly on our site.

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The specialists at the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost will be happy to provide you with a medical consultation. Take advantage of our wealth of experience in the field of orthopedics and feel free to make an appointment with us!

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Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost - Schulter - Erkrankungen

Table of Contents:

What is a shoulder joint dislocation?
- Symptoms of AC joint dislocation
- Causes of shoulder joint dislocation
Diagnostics for a shoulder joint dislocation
Orthopedic treatment of a shoulder joint dislocation
Treatment of shoulder joint dislocation in OZMO

What is a shoulder joint dislocation?

Shoulder joint dislocation refers to the injury of the acromioclavicular joint caused by an accident or massive force. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the sternum to the clavicle and scapula. It provides stabilization of the shoulder and at the same time is responsible for the transmission of force to the trunk, for example, when you support yourself on one arm.

When the shoulder is dislocated, there is an injury or tear of the stabilizing ligaments or the joint capsule. At the same time, there is a destabilization of the clavicle, which shifts and loses the support of its natural position due to the injury. According to the severity of the injury, shoulder joint dislocation is classified according to two variants: Tossy classification is considered as old classification with three severity levels, Rockwood classification uses differentiation into six different types as new classification.

Symptoms of AC joint dislocation

In the case of a shoulder joint dislocation, severe pain, tenderness, swelling and often bruising are typical symptoms. Symptoms of shoulder joint dislocation occur immediately or very promptly following the accident.

The mobility of the shoulder is usually severely limited in this accidental injury. Sometimes the clavicle is up laterally, which shows with a protrusion over the acromioclavicular joint. When the elevated end of the clavicle is pressed down into its natural position, it springs back into the malposition after being released, like a piano key being released (piano key phenomenon). The discomfort causes most patients to adopt a protective posture to relieve the painful shoulder.

Causes of shoulder joint dislocation

ACG blast is in most cases a result of sports accidents. It occurs when a fall occurs on the shoulder while the arm is extended. This circumstance provides leverage to the shoulder girdle, causing damage to the stabilizing ligaments of the shoulder or the joint capsule due to tears and overstretching.

Sports where the injury is common include skiing, ice hockey, handball or soccer. If a shoulder joint dislocation is suspected after an accident, a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery should be consulted directly. Cooling the shoulder is among the first measures that should be taken on the way to the medical examination to reduce swelling and pain.

Diagnostics for a shoulder joint dislocation

If a shoulder joint dislocation is suspected, you should describe as precisely as possible the process that led to the injury when you visit your doctor. During the anamnesis, the orthopedic specialist will ask you questions such as:

How did the accident happen? Activity, process, sequence
Was the fall on the arm or on the shoulder?
What are your symptoms? Movement restrictions, pain
Did you already have complaints in the shoulder area before the accident? Pre-existing conditions, previous injuries

The interview is followed by a physical examination in which the position of the clavicle and the situation of the joint components (joint capsule, tendons, muscles) are palpated, but imaging techniques are also consulted. In addition to X-rays, an ultrasound or MRI may also be useful. A distinction from luxation (dislocation) is shown by the passively relatively good mobility of the shoulder in a shoulder joint dislocation.

Orthopedic treatment of a shoulder joint dislocation

If the injury is classified as mild, shoulder joint dislocation is often treated conservatively, meaning that surgery is not necessary. Thus, treatment with cold and painkillers can relieve the initial discomfort and reduce the swelling. In addition, physical therapy is often considered to improve the healing process. At the same time, the shoulder is given a period of rest for a set period of time (usually four to six weeks), during which movements are restricted to the horizontal plane. If surgery is necessary, the shoulder is completely immobilized for a period of about one week, after which physiotherapy and conservative measures are used to restore mobility.

At the Orthopaedic Center Munich East (OZMO), we use conservative therapies for milder types of shoulder joint dislocation. In more severe cases with necessary stabilization of dislocations of the acromion, the latest surgical procedures in arthroscopic techniques are used. In our pictures you can see images of exemplary treatments such as the stabilization of a fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation using “Tight-rope”. Older injury patterns are also treated with autologous (body’s own) tendon grafts to stabilize the shoulder joint after shoulder joint dislocation.

Treatment of shoulder joint dislocation in OZMO

If you have an injury such as a shoulder joint dislocation after a sports accident, you have come to the right place at the Orthopedic Center Munich East (OZMO). Our experienced team of specialists offers you all steps from diagnostics to successful treatment with and without surgery from a single source. Even complex cases are in good hands with us and are handled by Prof. Dr. med. habil. Peter Diehl as a specialist for orthopedics, trauma surgery and sports medicine as well as his colleagues. Specializing in disorders and injuries of the shoulder and knee, he is happy to assist you with a shoulder joint dislocation.

Make your appointment at the Orthopaedic Center Munich East today to force a quick healing of the shoulder joint dislocation and to avoid late consequences due to an insufficient treatment.

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