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General health

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Original poster

I dislocated my shoulder this morning should I bother with A&E?

19 replies

DTWD · 21/04/2010 14:05

Firstly its not dislocated anymore because it popped back in about a minute or 2 after I did it! It happened when I tripped up the stairs carrying my toddler and I put arm out to save us.

Shoulder and arm are very sore now but I would think this is completely normal after such trauma!? I phoned NHS direct and they advised visit to A&E but I'm sure this is over cautious. Any sensible advice please?

OP posts:

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/04/2010 14:07

eep!

no advice but ! that must have hurt.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 21/04/2010 14:10

I just read that if you dislocated your shoulder you need X-rays to check for any fracture and to be checked for any nerve/blood vessel damage.

Original poster

DTWD · 21/04/2010 14:10

Yep excruciating until it popped back into the socket...really unpleasant!

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 21/04/2010 14:10

I'd definitely go to A&E to get checked. Is it something you have had happen before? Sounds horrible, poor you.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 21/04/2010 14:11

apparently lots of dislocations cause small fractures, worth getting checked out IMO. you sound VERY brave!!

Slugbrains · 21/04/2010 14:12

I would susject you go so that they can check that 1. it is back in place properally 2. ligment damage and 3. trapped nerves. I didnt when i did my knee and had overstretched ligaments, and trapped the nerve when the knee cap went back into place. It took over a year and surgery to sort it out and would have been avoided by a trip to a&E at time. Plus they might be able to give some stronger painkillers. It will hurt more tomo. Go is my advice.

whatwasthatagain · 21/04/2010 14:15

Personally (and I speak from a great deal of experience hear, having dislocated both shoulders hundreds of times) I wouldn't bother with A&E if it has gone back in. They only xray to make sure nothing is broken before manipulating it back into place.

Original poster

DTWD · 21/04/2010 14:25

Ok thanks everyone, esp Slugbrains who has scared me, I will make the trip. There's my evening gone. 4 hours sat in A&E - great!!!

I wasn't brave btw...I nearly passed out, nearly vomitted all over the stairs and was a complete sobbing mess for about half hour afterwards. Partner has had to come home from work to look after toddler as arm is out of action!

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 21/04/2010 14:26

what a rotten thing to happen. Hope you are seen quickly!

Original poster

DTWD · 21/04/2010 14:29

Just read your post whatwasthatagain...

in your experience is it normal for shoulder and arm to be very sore and how long will it last?

OP posts:

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/04/2010 14:31

take someone with you. a&e is less miserable with company and if you need a wee they can keep an ear out for your name.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 21/04/2010 14:33

oh, and make sure you take any appropriate painkillers you have that saves you the palaver of being given paracetemol etc, if the painkillers you take at home don't make much difference then they can give you something extra there.

whatwasthatagain · 21/04/2010 14:56

Yes - tomorrow you won't be able to lift your arm up - pain can last a few days - be warned though - I did both of mine the first time by trippng down stairs - one used to go back in easily by itself, the other always meant a trip to A&E - loads of pethidin and a variety of methods used to put it back in - including feet. I once had to go three times in 24 hours. But oh the relief when it goes back in. Incidentally, 'they' say that disclocations are more painful than breaks - I can vouch for that. If you do go they will just give you a cuff sling and tell you to rest if for a couple of days ....

Had both mine stabilised now. How old is your DC? One of mine shoulders did slip out a few days after giving birth becuase of relaxed muscles - I was in hospital after a C-section - so I managed to call the nurse and asked her to put DD in her cot as I had just dislocated my shoulder. She put DD in her cot and then left me! Managed to work it back in by myself fortunately....

Original poster

DTWD · 21/04/2010 18:45

DC is 18 months. I can still carry him with one arm so not too bad. Might pop down to A&E early tomorrow morning when its quiet just to check there's nothing untoward...hurting a lot tonight, dread to think how its going to be tomorrow!

OP posts:

sparklystar · 21/04/2010 19:02

Please go to A&E my DH did this when i was 35wks pregnant with DD, they need to check for breaks and also ligaments etc

whatwasthatagain · 22/04/2010 11:41

Hi DTWD - How is your shoulder today?

Original poster

DTWD · 22/04/2010 11:58

I went to A&E this morning after an uncomfortable night. In and out within the hour so I chose the right time to go! No fractures, but muscles damaged so will require physio. Very sore, they put arm in sling to stop me moving it. Interesting how arm being in sling suddenly resulted in loads of sympathy from partner

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 22/04/2010 13:09

Ouch, sorry it's still so sore, glad you got seen!

whatwasthatagain · 22/04/2010 13:18

Yes a sling always brings on sympathy. I never had physio on mine, even after the stabilisations. Hope yours does not turn into a history of dislocations. If you have an automatic car - I had a knob fitted on the steering wheel to allow me to drive with one arm. Still use it now - but it does sometimes get stuck up my sleeve which can be a bit hairy...

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