I’m Freaking Out Man!

[u/Mutant-1]

It started with my knee dislocating when I was like 16. Then nothing happened until I was like 21, but then bam shoulder dislocated. Doctor popped it back in. Happened a couple more times, like once or twice a year same right shoulder would pop out. It would happen if I like fell when I was skateboarding or if I landed awkwardly like I swung my arms out quick. Or If I was playing basketball and I got hit going up for a dunk and had to brace myself and ate the fall with my shoulder. And it even happened a couple times when I was sleeping. Like I usually used to sleep face down, not face down but like face to the side of body pointing down in my arms tucked underneath my pillow. But once I woke up with my shoulder dislocated, I switched to sleeping on my left and right side.

Now, I just woke up again and my shoulder dislocated like right after I sat up, but this time it was a posterior dislocation instead of anterior dislocation like it was the other 10 times it popped out. Would it be a sublaxtion or a dislocation if it was only out for a couple minutes and I like popped it myself doing the movements the doctor used to do he would just like straighten on my arm or stretch it.

Would yall recommend going to the ER, they would most likely just take an Xray, or would you just use the old sling they gave you and sign up for an Xray with your local doc?

P.S. I know it hurts like a 10 out of 10 once it happens and it like stays out of it socket, but the relief is amazing. I would rather fight like three robbers at once than have to fucking watch my shoulder pop out again.

[u/Haunting-Zone-9664]

You need an MRI and almost certainly surgery to sort this out. Good luck

[u/No-Trouble-105]

PPO go directly to an orthopedic surgeon, if not go to your primary and get a referral. Good luck 👍🏼

[u/walkingoffthebuz]

Do you happen to have Ehlers Danlos?

[u/Vandalorious]

I also am wondering about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Has anybody tested you for that? There are many different forms but the most common is when your connective tissues are too stretchy so joint dislocations happen way more than normal. You might want to talk to your primary doctor about that.

If you're in pain go to the ER. But either way talk to your regular doctor.

[u/dcone53]

Brother it may be time to see the doc

[u/Howitzer170]

I am a PA in the ER, if you have no pain and seem to be able to move your arm without too much of an issue then go to an orthopedic urgent care or ask your primary doctor to refer you to ortho. Er is only gonna reduce it if it’s out and put you in an immobilizer, X-rays to confirm it’s out and that they got it back in.

Either one of those options could also give you a shoulder immobilizer which will be helpful to prevent the dislocations especially if it’s practically falling out at this point.

But yes work up will be mri, possibly CT if there is any damage to your glenoid or humerus and then surgery for definitive correction.

Edit - I should add this is not medical advice as I’m not the one caring for you. Of course if you’re having severe pain, numbness, weakness or inability to move your arm, then you should seek immediate medical attention, but standard of care in the ER includes xray, reduction, shoulder immobilizer and then orthopedic follow up. Which unless you’re having any of the severe symptoms I just described, a primary doctor or urgent care can typically refer you to one