Letter S

Shoulder dislocation

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Displacement of the ball of the shoulder joint (the top rounded portion of the upper arm bone, or humerus) from the socket of the joint (the glenoid fossa of the wingbone, or scapula).

There is complete separation of the humerus from the scapular glenoid.

The shoulder joint is the most frequently dislocated major joint of the body, reflecting the fact that it sacrifices stability for mobility.

Most of these dislocations are due to trauma.

Treatment involves prompt reduction of the dislocation, immobilization of the arm in a sling for 1 to 3 weeks, and physical therapy.

Also known as glenohumeral dislocation

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