When is physiotherapy recommended for shoulder dislocation?

A dislocation occurs when the ball of the shoulder joint leaves its socket. Early care focuses on confirming the position of the joint and checking nearby nerves, blood vessels and bones. After that stage, rehabilitation helps restore comfortable movement and rebuild the muscles that control the shoulder blade and joint. The timing and limits depend on whether the dislocation was treated without surgery, whether tissue was injured, and whether this has happened before.

Follow the treating clinician’s instructions about the sling, sleeping position and permitted movement. A physiotherapist may begin with hand, wrist and elbow movement, then introduce gentle shoulder motion before progressing to rotator-cuff and shoulder-blade strengthening. Later work can address reaching, lifting and sport-specific control. Avoid forcing the arm into the position that caused the dislocation until you have been cleared, even if pain has improved.

Seek urgent help if the shoulder looks out of place again, or if you develop severe pain, increasing swelling, a cold or pale hand, new numbness, or weakness in the arm. Do not try to put the shoulder back yourself. Arrange review if pain, stiffness or a feeling of slipping is not improving as expected.

Ask when shoulder movement and driving are safe, which positions to avoid, and how recurrence risk will be managed. Ask whether imaging or an orthopaedic review is needed before strengthening or returning to sport.