[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/10\/shoulder-subluxation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/10\/shoulder-subluxation\/","headline":"What Is Shoulder Subluxation and How Is It Treated?","name":"What Is Shoulder Subluxation and How Is It Treated?","description":"Shoulder subluxation is a partial dislocation at the joint. It can be painful, but it's easily treated. Learn how to spot and treat this injury.","datePublished":"2019-10-24","dateModified":"2025-05-16","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","name":"UPMC Orthopaedic Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/orthopaedic-surgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shoulder_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shoulder_blg.jpg","height":1333,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/10\/shoulder-subluxation\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Orthopaedics","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":409,"keywords":["orthopedics","shoulder dislocation","shoulder injury","shoulder subluxation","shoulder treatment"],"articleBody":"Shoulder subluxation, also called a partial shoulder dislocation, occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone (the humerus) comes part of the way out of the shoulder socket. It\u2019s not the same as a shoulder dislocation, which happens when the upper bone completely leaves the socket \u2014 although the two injuries can have similar symptoms.\u00a0How Does Shoulder Subluxation Happen?\u00a0The force put on the joint from a fall \u2014 or even just the wear and tear of daily activity \u2014 can partially dislocate the humerus and cause a subluxed shoulder. If you have joint instability from a previous dislocation or overuse from certain sports, such as tennis or baseball, your risk of subluxation is higher because your muscles, ligaments, and tendons aren\u2019t holding the bones firmly in place. If your shoulder feels out of place but not dislocated, you may have a shoulder subluxation.\u00a0What Are Symptoms of Subluxation?\u00a0A partial shoulder dislocation may cause pain, joint instability, arm weakness, numbness or tingling down your arm, and swelling. When the humerus moves out of place, it can damage muscles, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels in the shoulder joint. Since the symptoms are similar to those of a full dislocation, it\u2019s best to get the injury checked out by a doctor.\u00a0How Is Subluxation Treated?\u00a0In minor cases, the shoulder bone may move back into place on its own. However, don\u2019t try to force the shoulder back into position yourself; it could cause more damage. At home, you can reduce the pain and swelling by icing your shoulder. Your doctor will perform an x-ray to determine how to reposition the shoulder, likely followed by a closed reduction, or moving the bone back into place without surgery.\u00a0After the shoulder is back in the right spot, keep it as still as possible for up to two weeks. Your doctor may also recommend taking over-the-counter pain medicine as your shoulder heals. Your doctor will monitor your progress and give you a detailed plan for when and how much you can move the shoulder and what exercises to perform. Allowing your shoulder to heal fully helps prevent future injuries. Repeated dislocations can increase the chances of hurting your shoulder again.\u00a0For more information or to make an appointment for a shoulder evaluation with one of our specialists, contact UPMC Orthopaedic Care at 1-866-987-6784.\u00a0Editor's Note: This article was originally published on October 24, 2019, and was last reviewed on June 14, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is Shoulder Subluxation and How Is It Treated?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/10\/shoulder-subluxation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]