ripping an arm out of a socket...is this true

Guitar_Heroine · Apr 18, 2006

I don't know. I know that myself, mother and grandfather all have what was finally dxd as hypermobility syndrome. And yes, we're very prone to overextending and dislocating things. Lots of weight training and PT helps though, thank goodness and I'm able to help my patients. But you never know what might be going on with someone's body I guess.

nursecher · Apr 18, 2006

I am not a nurse yet, just a student; however, I have heard of people ripping their arm out of socket and my mom says I ripped or "poped" my arm out of socket when I was little. I guess it poped back in while they were doing the x-rays. I was too little to remember so I'm not sure.

Karen · Apr 18, 2006

Its definately true one can hurt themselves moving patients, that's why there is a lot of body mechanics and techniques for moving patients including assistive devices. As far as "ripping her arm out of the socket" seems like a lame thing to say...yes post op patients should move themselves to the best of there ability, but also use the bed, side rails and appropriate techniques(ones that won't result in an arm getting ripped out) used by the nurse to move. It seems the nurse should have given you more instruction on how to move post op rather than say they couldn't help you.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Apr 19, 2006

Sounds like a gory way of describing a dislocated joint.

kukukajoo, LPN · Apr 19, 2006

Oh yes this is very possible. My brother had this as well as my twin daughters when they were little (havent tested it lately!). But anyhow, they seem to have outgrown it as adults.

The poor things would dislocate elbows so easily it was AWFUL! We were investigated for child abuse after an incident at the 4th of july fireworks once- first time it happened and talk about freaked out! Kids were watching from hood of car having a fun family moment and when they were done their dad took em by the arms to swing them off the car as they were jumping and next thing you know we are in the ER! It was so innocent but were mortified and I never drove so fast and around so much stalled traffic leaving the fireworks to get her to the hospital!

It happened a few times after that- a little playmate tugging them in the opposite direction while holding hands did it twice! swinging from the monkey bars, etc..

Not only did I feel hoorrible for my daughters but I their poor playmates were beside themseleves!

Our famiy doc tried to teach me how to pop them back in place, but I could never bear to do it (even though it seemed easy) and were frequent flyers- I used to cry right along with them!

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2006

HopeToBeANurseSoon-

What is your avatar?

I can't tell.

Still Riding · Apr 19, 2006

I had an accident a few years back where I broke and dislocated my shoulder it never healed right and I have instability. I sublex it all the time and soem things can actually dislocate it.

I could easily see if a Pt pulled on my arm the wrong way it dislocating. I have had ti dislocate a few times since the accident and it was with forces that were not that strong that never shoudl have pulled my shoulder out.

QuilterLPN · Apr 19, 2006

So why is this nurse giving patient care if she cannot use her arm (to help transfer patients) without it dislocating? We had a nurse on staff who had shoulder surgery, and she couldn't come back to the floor till her doctor cleared her to lift 50 pounds. That was a while. There are basic physical requirements to being a nurse! You have to be able to give basic, safe patient care. :uhoh21:

Still Riding · Apr 19, 2006

I agree with you QuilterLPN. nursing does have physical requirements.

But i think i must add that my shoulder dislocates if it is pulled backwards not in assisting a Pt up or helping them move over. So although my shoulder is unstable I have never found it a problem with nursing. Mainly riding and other sports.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2006

I think that was just a fancy way to describe a dislocation.

Always reminds me of Lethal Weapon 4 movie :rolleyes:

fergus51 · Apr 19, 2006

I've had a patient dislocate my shoulder before. It isn't fun. If you were able to make it without holding onto her arm, then I don't think she was out of line for asking you to do that.