What is a Shoulder Dislocation?
The Simple Breakdown
In medical terms, a shoulder dislocation happens when the humeral head pops out of the glenoid. In jiu jitsu terms? It’s like the ball falls off the tee.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and also one of the most vulnerable to dislocation, especially in combat sports.
Who Gets Shoulder Dislocations?
Most studies point to athletes in basketball, football, soccer, weightlifting, hockey, and wrestling. But here’s the thing… combat sport athletes are often underrepresented in this data. Jiu jitsu athletes aren’t always captured in school-based studies or large databases.
But I see this injury in jiu jitsu all the time.
How Do Dislocations Happen in Jiu Jitsu?
They happen fast:
One wrong post
A bad fall
An explosive scramble
A shoulder crank that gets out of control
Sometimes the shoulder pops out and stays out. Sometimes it dislocates and slides back in on its own.
If you’ve ever felt your shoulder shift or slide, this is for you.
How Do You Know It’s Dislocated?
Look for:
Sharp pain
A droopy or squared-off shoulder
Guarding the arm close to the body
A “dead arm” sensation
Relief when the shoulder is reduced (put back in place)
**Numbness or tingling can happen if the dislocation pushes on the axillary nerve.
What Happens Next?
You should always see an orthopedic specialist after your first dislocation. You’ll need a proper exam and imaging.
The first step is usually physical therapy.
For young, active athletes, surgery is often recommended early because the risk of re-dislocation is about 90% if treated non-surgically.
Age Matters
Under 40? The main concern is labral tears.
Over 40-45? The main concern is rotator cuff tears.
Both can lead to chronic instability or long-term shoulder problems if not treated correctly.
Return to the Mats
After labrum surgery: Return to training in about 4-6 months.
After rotator cuff surgery: Return in about 6-9 months.
Always follow a slow, guided return and protect your shoulder in the early phases.
Final Thoughts
If you dislocate your shoulder… don’t rush back to training. Even if you don’t need surgery, you need to understand the risks, get the right rehab, and return carefully.
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Dr. Megan Lisset Jimenez
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References
Neviaser RJ, Neviaser TJ, Neviaser JS. Concurrent rupture of the rotator cuff and anterior dislocation of the shoulder in the older patient. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1988 Oct;70(9):1308-11. PMID: 3182884.
Twomey-Kozak J, Whitlock KG, O'Donnell JA, Anakwenze OA, Klifto CS. Shoulder dislocations among high school-aged and college-aged athletes in the United States: an epidemiologic analysis. JSES Int. 2021 Aug 17;5(6):967-971. PMCID: PMC8568840.
Wheeler JH, Ryan JB, Arciero RA, Molinari RN. Arthroscopic versus nonoperative treatment of acute shoulder dislocations in young athletes. Arthroscopy. 1989;5(3):213-7. PMID: 2775396.
