Medical conditions

A shoulder joint dislocation is a loss of continuity between the main articular surfaces of the shoulder: the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula. Dislocations may be posterior, when the humerus moves posteriorly to the scapula, superior, inferior, intrathoracic, and anterior, which are the most common, where the humerus moves forward. The most common causes are direct trauma or falls, although they may also be caused by wide movements in shoulders with joint instability due to deficits in muscular control or passive stabilizing structures (ligaments and joint capsule). Immediate treatment involves reduction of the dislocation by a physician and subsequent immobilization to allow normalization of the structures that were stretched. After immobilization is removed, it is common to experience pain, decreased range of motion, muscular weakness, and altered movement control. In this sense, physiotherapy is important for the recovery of normal function.