How is a dislocated shoulder treated after the shoulder has been put back in the joint?
The treatment for people who have a their first dislocated shoulder is relatively straightforward. They are usually given a sling in the Emergency Room, and told to wear the sling until they are seen by a doctor for further follow-up. It is usually more comfortable to have the arm in a sling after a dislocation for the first few days because the shoulder is often still very painful, and using the arm can be very difficult. The first step in rehabilitation after this period of immobilization is to regain the normal range of motion of the shoulder and to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles that help to keep the shoulder in the joint. This program can be supervised by a physical therapist. They would be able to coach you along the road to recovery, increasing your exercises and activity as time goes on and as the pain gradually goes away. In general, it takes six to eight weeks to regain the normal motion of the shoulder, and three months to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles. Some commo
