What is the Recovery Timeline for a Shoulder Dislocation? (+ Tips)

What are the different types of shoulder dislocation?

Have you ever thought that the shoulder is a joint that moves very freely compared to, for example, the knee?

Because you can lift the arm up (very high), put the hand behind your back, move the arm far to the side…

The shoulder is indeed the most mobile joint in the body: and therefore, the one that is most at risk of dislocation!

As a reminder, a dislocation is when 2 bones forming a joint move a lot.

And it happens when we move in amplitudes even greater than usual, and suddenly, these bones.

Or more rarely when other structures that stabilize the bones (like ligaments) are too damaged and no longer do their job, or due to genetic predispositions to instability.

Shoulder dislocation often occurs during trauma (for example, in a car accident or a fall), or a very abrupt movement in sports (handball, rugby, volleyball, American football, etc.).

Anterior or Posterior Glenohumeral Dislocation

When we talk generally about shoulder dislocation, we are more specifically referring to the joint between:

• the glenoid of the scapula, a kind of hole;
• the humerus, the bone of the arm.

The humerus normally fits into the glenoid of the scapula, hence the name “glenohumeral.” But sometimes, the humerus comes out of this glenoid: that’s when we talk about dislocation.

The scapula is also called the shoulder blade; it’s the same bone called by two different names.

The humerus can come out of the glenoid in different ways. That’s why we say that there are several types of shoulder dislocations:

• the most frequent, by far, is the anterior dislocation of the shoulder: 97% of all shoulder dislocations;
• less frequent ones: posterior dislocation and inferior dislocation.

Normally, your medical report indicates the type of dislocation you have, for example, “complete anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint.”

And if you have simply been told about a “shoulder dislocation” in general, there is a strong chance that it is this type of dislocation, as it is the most common.

Acromioclavicular Dislocation

Some people also use the term “shoulder dislocation” to refer to a dislocation between:

• the clavicle, below the neck;
• the acromion, another part of the scapula.

Hence the name “acromioclavicular dislocation.

Sternoclavicular Dislocation

Dislocation can occur at a third location when we talk about shoulder dislocation. Between:

• the sternum, the bone on which the ribs insert in the middle and upper part of the thorax;
• the clavicle.

In this case, it is called a sternoclavicular dislocation.

Shoulder Subluxation

Sometimes we talk about shoulder subluxation or partial dislocation.

It occurs when the humerus bone partially moves out of the glenoid cavity before returning to its place ‘on its own.’

This can still, in passing, damage some components of the joint, such as ligaments.

Hence the sometimes implementation of orthopedic treatment or rehabilitation after a ‘simple’ shoulder subluxation.

What do we mean by ‘recovery’ after dislocation?

Indeed, we need to clarify what we mean by the recovery of a dislocation:

Are we talking about how long it takes for the bone segments to be correctly realigned (which is very quick because a simple maneuver allows it)?

Are we talking about when all the potential injuries associated with the dislocation are healed?

Because it is common to have nerve injuries associated with shoulder dislocations (in 40% of cases, especially axillary nerve injury) or fractures (25% of cases), often a fracture of the head of the humerus or a fracture of another part of the humerus, such as the greater tuberosity;

Are we talking about when we fully recover our arm for all the activities we want to do?

I’ll try to be as precise as possible on this subject!

Source: Abrams 2022

How long does it take on average to recover from a shoulder dislocation?

As with any injury, some people recover much faster than others.

And this can be due to many factors, many of which are unpredictable:

• genetic factors: predisposition or not to shoulder instability; the type of dislocation you had;
• associated injuries: fracture, nerve and vascular injury, injuries to other parts of the body;
• your overall health and your previous injuries or wear and tear, especially in the case of a rotator cuff injury, a group of muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder.

I understand that it can be very frustrating.

But even someone who has your complete medical record in front of them, who can examine you, will find it difficult to give you a very precise idea in days or weeks of the time you need to heal enough to reuse your arm for driving, sports, lifting things, etc.

What is the recovery time for a glenohumeral dislocation?

Remember, when we talk about “shoulder dislocation,” we are most often talking about an anterior glenohumeral dislocation.

So, how long to recover?

As soon as the diagnosis is made, in most cases, a doctor realigns the bones correctly with a simple maneuver using their hands.

It’s called a reduction, and ideally, it should be done within 24 hours. In general, efforts are made to administer things to you so that you feel as little pain as possible and that your muscles are well relaxed (anesthetic).

Good news: this maneuver also frees the axillary nerve even if it has been affected by the dislocation, so there is no problem with sensitivity or motor skills related to the lesion of this nerve.

Even if the dislocation is reduced, tissues in your body, such as ligaments or the joint capsule, have been damaged. They need time to heal, and good news again: our bodies can do this on their own, as long as we don’t hinder the natural healing process.

It generally takes a few weeks (often around 3 to 6 weeks) for all the damaged tissues to heal. You usually keep the splint for a few days or weeks (1 to 6) to encourage this healing but especially to limit pain.

There are no studies that say one type or duration of immobilization is better than another (Pak 2023). In parallel with this healing and after this healing period, you will gradually reuse your arm in daily activities.

First, without carrying anything and in small range-of-motion movements. It will probably take you a few months to consider resuming sports activities that strain the shoulder a lot, such as swimming or rugby.

And for a posterior glenohumeral dislocation? The same reasoning applies.

Here’s an overview of the different recovery stages ⏱️.

Step	Healing Time (Typical Delays)
You have significantly less pain	Several days to a few weeks
Ligaments are healed	Several weeks
Bone consolidation is completed or well underway (in case of associated fracture)	6 weeks to 3 months
Swelling and bruises disappear	Several days to a few weeks
You no longer need immobilization, a splint	1 to 6 weeks
You can gradually use your arm again for eating, dressing	Several days to a few weeks
You can resume driving	Several days to a few weeks
You can start carrying weight (bags, dumbbells) with the dislocated arm progressively	1 to 5 months
You can return to all pre-injury physical and sports activities	3 to 8 months. In the case of a competitive athlete, it is possible to resume playing within 2 to 3 weeks, but the risk of recurrence of instability is high (Hasebrook 2019)

The healing time for a shoulder dislocation is typically a few weeks to resume normal use of the arm in daily life. For activities that stress the shoulder more, such as sports like volleyball, it may take a few months.

What is the recovery time for an acromioclavicular dislocation?

Acromioclavicular dislocations are often classified based on the severity of the injury into multiple stages (e.g., the Rockwood classification).

Stages 1 and 2, considered less severe, can heal in a few weeks with conservative treatment (without surgery).

More severe stages (stages 3, 4, 5, 6) may require surgery and a longer recovery time, ranging from several weeks to several months.

What is the recovery time for a shoulder subluxation?

The healing time for a shoulder subluxation is approximately the same as that for a dislocation, or slightly shorter in theory.

However, there is significant variability among individuals: some may recover in a few weeks without recurrence after a complete shoulder dislocation, while others may take over 6 months to return to sports with a “simple” shoulder subluxation.

Even with a thorough assessment, it is challenging to provide an accurate prognosis for recovery (although I understand it can be frustrating!).

What is the healing time after surgery for a dislocated shoulder?

Sometimes, surgery is required after a shoulder dislocation, especially if you are under 30 and have had a previous shoulder dislocation, as the risk of recurrence is significant. Often done arthroscopically without the need for extensive incisions.

In older patients, surgery may involve the placement of a total shoulder replacement if the rotator cuff is severely damaged.

The healing time after shoulder dislocation surgery is roughly similar to that without surgery: a few weeks to gradually regain the use of the arm.

Is there a risk of recurrent shoulder dislocation?

Yes, if you have experienced at least one shoulder dislocation (glenohumeral joint), you are more susceptible to having it happen again:

• The recurrence rate of shoulder dislocation can reach 92% in individuals under 25 years old participating in contact sports.
• For those over 30 years old, the recurrence rate is approximately 72%. In such cases, it is referred to as “chronic instability.”

Due to dislocations, the ligaments and other components of the joint no longer provide as much stability to the shoulder.

The recurrence of a posterior shoulder dislocation is somewhat less common at 30%, whereas it is 72 to 92% in the case of anterior dislocation.

Source: Pak 2023, Kamel 2022

What factors increase the risk of re-dislocating the shoulder?

• If you are under 40 years old.
• If you are male.
• If you are hypermobile.

As time passes, the risk of a new dislocation decreases.

Source: Olds 2015

Do you experience long-term effects after a shoulder dislocation?

Let’s start with the positive side: most people who have a shoulder dislocation (and undergo surgery) regain their pre-injury level of sports activity.

Precisely, 65% of them.

So, they do not retain significant sequelae, even though the risk of recurrence remains present.

When there are lingering effects, they may include:

• Chronic instability of the shoulder: the shoulder dislocates or subluxates frequently.
• Chronic pain.
• Stiffness in the shoulder.
• Shoulder arthritis (omarthrosis). Lack of strength and functionality in the shoulder.

There are also potential complications following shoulder dislocation surgery. They occur in 0.5 to 13.6% of cases, depending on the type of operation.

Source: Pak 2023

What can be done to speed up the recovery timeline after a shoulder dislocation?

To recover from a shoulder dislocation, it is essential to strike a balance between:

Facilitating the healing of soft tissues (including ligaments) by immobilizing or limiting arm mobility.

Using a brace that keeps the elbow close to the body, causing internal rotation of the shoulder, or sometimes external rotation with a large cushion under the armpit.

Avoiding stiffness by mobilizing the shoulder.

Various professionals such as doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists can guide you in finding this delicate balance.

What shoulder immobilization with a brace?

Most surgeons postoperatively immobilize patients immediately, typically for a duration of 1 to 6 weeks, whether for the treatment of a shoulder dislocation with or without surgery.

Is it better to immobilize the shoulder in internal or external rotation after an anterior dislocation?

Here’s what a research team, who systematically examined the question, concluded:

Immobilization in internal rotation and external rotation has its proponents, but this Cochrane review – currently the most robust evidence available – has not shown a clear advantage for one over the other in terms of effectiveness. It tends to suggest that external rotation may be more challenging for patients to tolerate.

In light of the current uncertainty, the choice of immobilization position should be guided by the preferences of patients and surgeons until more definitive data is available, keeping in mind that adverse effects have been observed less frequently with the traditional internal rotation sling.

Cochrane 2019

What exercises and rehabilitation for a non-operated shoulder dislocation?

Initially, you may be advised to perform less demanding exercises, such as “pendulum” exercises.

Gradually, with your physical therapist, you will introduce exercises that more actively engage the shoulder and involve larger ranges of motion.

Your physical therapist will also show you movements that pose a higher risk of causing a recurrent dislocation, reintroducing them in an even more progressive manner:

• In the case of anterior shoulder dislocation: shoulder movements that involve lowering or pulling the arm backward, such as throwing a ball or serving in tennis.
• In the case of posterior shoulder dislocation: shoulder movements that involve pushing the arm forward or backward, as in certain sports or weightlifting.
• In the case of sternoclavicular or acromioclavicular dislocation: abruptly lifting heavy objects, rapidly raising the arms overhead, or performing pulling movements.

The goal is not to avoid these movements entirely but to reintroduce them gradually.