The ball of the joint pushes out in front of the shoulder socket in the majority of cases with dislocated shoulders. This is generally noticeable since you will be unable to move your arm and will be in excruciating agony. An ambulance must be called for emergency transportation to the hospital. You should try to relocate your shoulder. Lie on your back with your arms at your side. Have a friend help you lift your upper body so that you are sitting up but remain lying down. Now try to lift one arm over your head. If it feels like it can go further, then it hasn't been completely dislocated. If not, then it needs to be put back into place. If you have difficulty locating your shoulder, there are several options available for treatment. Your doctor may recommend pain killers and/or rest to allow the shoulder to heal on its own. In more severe cases, he or she may suggest surgery to repair the damage and relieve your pain permanently. Doctors usually re-attach or realign torn ligaments during surgery. They may also remove any material found inside the shoulder joint that caused the injury. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery performed but most patients are able to return to normal activities after about six weeks. This article only covered the basic information about dislocations.