A shoulder dislocation occurs when the bone of your upper arm slips out of the ball and socket joint formed by the bones and muscles of your shoulder. This injury can cause swelling, numbness and weakness in the joint, and can even tear the connective tissue that helps hold your shoulder in place. Treatment for this injury can involve rehabilitative exercises designed to restore strength and range of motion to your shoulder joint. Be sure that you check with your doctor before starting any rehabilitative exercises.
Pendulum Exercise
This is often one of the first exercises prescribed following a shoulder dislocation because it uses the force of gravity rather than your strength to perform. Begin by bending over and resting your good arm on a chair, table or other support with your injured arm hanging relaxed. Move your upper body slightly to start swinging your arm forward and backward. Start with small swings at first, and as your condition improves begin swinging your arm farther and farther. Aim for a 90-degree swing in any direction, according to SportsInjuryClinic.net.
Assisted Flexion and Extension
Sit in a chair or lie down on your back on a bed or table and grab the hand of your injured arm with your good hand. Use only the muscles of your good arm to lift both arms as high as you can without pain. Try to raise your arms over your head if this is possible without serious pain. Be sure that you don't try to push your arm up using the muscles of your injured side, as this can aggravate your injury if performed too soon.
Assisted Adduction/Abduction
This exercise is going to require a three to four foot piece of broomstick. Hold onto the broomstick with both hands with your arms about shoulder-width apart. The broomstick should be resting at about waist level in front of your body. Use the muscles of your good arm to push both arms toward the side of your injured arm. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and then return to the starting position. Try to repeat this exercise in both directions by pushing your good arm away from your body as well as pulling it across your body.
Active Flexion Exercise
This exercise is generally prescribed a couple of weeks after the injury when you have achieved a good range of motion using assisted and passive exercise. It is performed by simply lifting your injured arm straight out in front of your body. Try to use the muscles of your injured shoulder to lift your arm straight out in front of you and over your head.
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