How to Know If You've Hyperextended Your Shoulder
A shoulder hyperextension is also known as a shoulder dislocation. When you hyperextend your shoulder, the upper arm bone -- or humerus -- has become dislocated from the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder known as the glenoid. A fall onto an extended arm, trauma such as an auto accident or a direct collision in sports can lead to shoulder hyperextension. This condition is painful and requires immediate medical attention.
Warnings
Left untreated, shoulder hyperextension can cause permanent damage to the tendons and nerves of your shoulder and upper arm.
Check for symptoms. You are likely to experience pain, swelling, bruising and numbness if you have dislocated your shoulder. You may also experience muscle spasms.
Look in the mirror. Examine your shoulder for signs of a visual deformity. Your affected arm may appear to be longer than the other arm, or your shoulder joint may appear to be loose.
Visit a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible. A doctor will take a medical history, inquire about how you injured yourself and examine you. A physical examination along with X-rays will likely occur. At this point, your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment plan for you. A doctor will normally reduce -- or put back into place -- your shoulder joint. Severe pain will decrease shortly thereafter.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Dislocated Shoulder; October 2007
- MedlinePlus: Dislocated Shoulder
- MedlinePlus: Dislocated shoulder - aftercare
- MayoClinic: Dislocated Shoulder
- Cleveland Clinic: Dislocated Shoulder
- Harvard Health: Shoulder Dislocation
- Mount Sinai Health System: How do you know if your shoulder is dislocated?
- Lintner SA, Speer KP. Traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability: the role of arthroscopy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg October 1997;5:233-39.
Warnings
- Left untreated, shoulder hyperextension can cause permanent damage to the tendons and nerves of your shoulder and upper arm.
Writer Bio
Michelle Zehr started writing professionally in 2009. She has written on health, fitness, fashion, interior design, home decorating,sports and finance for several websites. Zehr possesses a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Arts in professional writing from Chatham University and a graduate certificate in health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.