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3: Sports Injury: Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Summary: Dislocation of the humerus occurs most commonly in the anterior inferior direction. The arm is generally held in external rotation with slight abduction, producing anterior inferior dislocation. If elevation is added to the arm, this may further enhance this type of dislocation. With prudent care and treatment, the injured athlete who sustains anterior dislocation of the shoulder should be able to return to competitive competition within 6 to 12 weeks. Should the athlete opt for immobilization, exercise should be provided, according to Roy and Irvin, to include the following: 1) hand grip and forearm exercises (pronation and supination flexion and extension of the elbow; 2) isometric abduction and adduction with the arm at the side; 3) isometric internal and external rotation with the arm held in internal rotation; and 4) isotonic internal rotation from 45 to 90 degrees of internal rotation. The initial exercises may consist of pendulum and internal rotation exercises or, as mentioned earlier, any range of motion that is pain-free for the athlete. The last range of motion to be incorporated would be abduction or abduction with external rotation. Full Article: Chiroweb