How to take care of your arm after dislocation to facilitate recovery

If the arm is dislocated and is not treated and recovered in time, it will affect our normal activities. At this time, we should pay attention to reducing the range of joint movement. Those who love sports should also pay attention to the way they exercise during their daily activities.

1. In recent years, due to the development of arthroscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgical techniques have been used to repair the detached glenoid labrum ligament in a timely manner for young people, athletes, patients who love sports, or soldiers and police in special professions after their first shoulder dislocation, so as to reduce the chance of recurrence and the trouble it brings, as well as the complexity of treatment after recurrence. The results of arthroscopic surgery can reduce the chance of recurrence in these patients with high recurrence rates to below 10%-20%.

2. On the other hand, conservative rehabilitation treatment is not very effective for habitual dislocation after trauma, with a success rate of less than 20%. However, if these lesions are corrected surgically, the torn ligaments are sutured and the loose joint capsule is tightened. After the operation, the shoulder sling is used for protection for two to four weeks, and passive joint movement is started. Muscle strength training is started at eight weeks, daily life activities are resumed at twelve weeks, and sports are resumed at four to six months. Our statistics show that the surgical success rate has reached 95% in the past 10 years. In recent years, we have begun to use arthroscopic surgery to treat the disease. In addition to the patients with the first shoulder dislocation in the acute phase mentioned above, we also repair some patients with habitual dislocations whose lesions are not too serious. The advantages of arthroscopic surgery are small wounds (three small holes), less pain after surgery, easier rehabilitation, less joint stiffness, and easier restoration of normal range of motion and function. The short-term results are similar to those of open surgery.

3. It is recommended not to underestimate the importance of habitual shoulder dislocation. The diagnosis must be confirmed first (medical history inquiry, physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging) before deciding on the direction of treatment. Habitual dislocations that are not caused by injury are best treated with rehabilitation. Dislocations caused by injury are best treated surgically. Only by turning unstable joints into stable joints can you have the opportunity to enjoy unrestricted activities and reduce the chance of arthritis.