Patient: Mrs Wilkins, 35 yo, slipped while cleaning the floor at work and landed directly on her left shoulder.
Main concern: She experienced immediate pain and was unable to raise her arm.
She attended hospital promptly. An X-ray confirmed there was no fracture. She was prescribed pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication and advised to rest.
A week later, although the pain had slightly reduced, her shoulder had not improved:
Concerned by the slow recovery, she sought further assessment.
On examination, several key findings were noted:
Functional testing, including the “shoulder touch” assessment, was positive.
The final diagnosis: anterior shoulder dislocation.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication can reduce discomfort, but they do not correct joint alignment.
If the shoulder joint remains displaced, surrounding muscles and ligaments remain under abnormal tension.
This leads to ongoing pain, limited movement, and delayed recovery.
This explains why some patients treated initially as having a “soft tissue injury” continue to struggle with function despite no fracture being present.
With appropriate clinical support, Mrs Wilkins underwent reduction of the dislocated shoulder.
Post-reduction care focused on:
Within two weeks, swelling had significantly reduced. By one month, shoulder range of motion had improved, and she was able to lift her arm overhead comfortably.
After a fall, seek further assessment if you notice:
Not all shoulder injuries are simple strains. Early recognition of dislocation allows prompt management and reduces the risk of long-term instability or weakness.
Pain is an important signal. Identifying the correct cause ensures safe recovery and restoration of daily function.
HK Clinic 
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