What should you know about post shoulder reduction care?

Reduction puts the shoulder joint back into alignment, but the surrounding capsule, tendons, and muscles may still be irritated or injured. Pain, stiffness, bruising, and guarded movement can occur early. The support limits risky positions while tissues settle. Your clinician may check strength, sensation, circulation, and imaging, particularly when the injury involved a fall or possible fracture. A shoulder can dislocate again, so feeling better does not mean the joint is ready for forceful overhead activity.

Wear the sling or other support exactly as instructed, including during sleep if advised. Use prescribed pain relief and cold packs with a cloth barrier if suitable for you. Keep the hand, wrist, and elbow moving when permitted to reduce stiffness, but do not lift, push, pull, or reach behind your back until cleared. Physiotherapy can restore motion and then build shoulder-control strength in stages. Do not try to relocate the shoulder yourself.

Seek urgent care if the shoulder looks out of place again, pain suddenly becomes severe, the hand becomes cold or pale, or you develop new numbness, tingling, or weakness. Contact your clinician for fever, increasing redness or drainage around a wound, uncontrolled pain, or a support that causes pressure or skin injury. Follow-up is especially important if the original injury included a fracture or nerve symptoms.

Ask how long to use the sling, which movements are restricted, when driving and work can resume, whether imaging is needed, and how rehabilitation will reduce the chance of another dislocation.