Complete displacement of the ball out of the socket. This type of instability is sometimes seen in swimmers and other upper extremity repetitive motion athletes. Out the back. This type of instability is most rare, and typically occurs with seizure disorders, or unusual trauma. More often the subluxation episodes cause pain or a feeling of numbness in the arm.
Diagnosis depends on the history and physical examination by a shoulder expert.
Cases of complete dislocation are easier to diagnose. Typically the patient will have had to go to an emergency room to have the shoulder reduced, and an x-ray will be taken which confirms the shoulder having come out of socket. These patients complain primarily of instability, particularly with the arm in the overhead position. Treatment depends on the severity of the instability and the age of the patient. The younger the patient, the more likely the shoulder will continue to redislocate.