Understanding Ohtani’s World Series Injury: Shoulder Subluxation

During Game 2 of the 2024 MLB World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani injured his left shoulder while trying to steal second base. The star pitcher and hitter walked off the field with his left elbow bent, not moving the arm. Following the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update that Ohtani had suffered a shoulder subluxation.

Luckily, the injury did not occur on Ohtani’s dominant right arm, so he played in games 3-5 of the World Series, helping the Dodgers clinch their 8th World Series. Though, Ohtani did underperform from the plate, going 1-11 in the final three games of the 2024 season.

Ohtani had previously recovered from surgery in September 2023 for his elbow that prevented him from pitching in the 2024 season. On November 5, 2024, Shohei Ohtani underwent surgery, his second in 14 months, to repair “a torn labrum in his left shoulder.”

You don’t have to be a star MLB player to suffer the same injury as Ohtani. Here is how Ohtani suffered his injury and more information on shoulder subluxation.

Understanding Shoulder Subluxation?

A shoulder subluxation is a partial dislocation of the shoulder. Because the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, dislocations do happen partially when part of the head of the humerus (shoulder) is popped out of the socket or completely when the entire head of the upper arm is out of the socket.

Although shoulder dislocations are the most common dislocated joint, shoulder dislocation only affects 0.0001% of people in the U.S. each year.

What Causes Shoulder Subluxation?

There are several causes of shoulder subluxation, and a combination of factors can contribute to a slight dislocation. Here are common causes of shoulder subluxation:

• Genetic
• Trauma to the shoulder, e.g., falls or car accidents
• Labral tears
• Shoulder instability
• Overuse

In Ohtani’s case, he suffered the injury when sliding into second base. He planted his left hand on the dirt during the slide to prop himself up, but his hand caught on the ground, causing a tear of the labrum (the cartilage that surrounds the ball-and-socket joint), leading to a slight dislocation of his shoulder.

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Subluxation

How can I tell if my shoulder is dislocated?

Some of the common symptoms of shoulder subluxation include:

• Shoulder pain
• Shoulder visibly out of place
• Decreased or total loss of range of movement
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness or slight tingling in your lower arms, hands, or fingers
• Muscle spasms

Treatment and Recovery for Shoulder Subluxation

Available Treatment Options and Rehabilitation

The goal of treatments for shoulder subluxation is restoring the full function of the arm. For some injuries, early non-invasive treatments can help ease pain and help restore function to your arm. These include:

• Rest
• Icing the shoulder
• Wearing an arm sling
• Anti-inflammatory pain medication
• Maintaining good arm posture

Rehabilitation is a common treatment for those who experience shoulder dislocation or subluxation. Physical therapy rehabilitation focuses on progressively strengthening the muscles in your shoulder and around the rotator cuff, including your deltoid and scapular muscles. This may also be in addition to exercises that can help improve strength and coordination.

Several other surgical options are also available when the underlying causes of shoulder subluxation have to be addressed. For example, Shohei Ohtani underwent surgery to repair the labral tear. Any surgery to address the joint or damaged ligaments aims to restore the shoulder's stability and functioning.

Expected Recovery Timeline

How long does a dislocated shoulder take to heal?

The recovery period for a shoulder dislocation differs depending on the severity of the subluxation or dislocation. For those needing physical therapy to regain strength and mobility, recovery can take 4 weeks to 12 weeks.

Following surgery, it can take up to 6 months to fully recover. Shohei Ohtani will have time to rest and recover following surgery. Spring Training for the 2025 MLB season begins on February 20, 2025. However, it is unclear if he will be ready to return to full training and get back on the mound at the beginning of training.

Broader Implications for Baseball Players

How Such Injuries Affect Players in the Sport

Shoulder subluxations can be difficult for athletes of any sport. While much more common in football, where shoulder trauma is common due to players continually tackling and hitting other players, they have happened in baseball. When it happens to the dominant hand, players can take up to nine months to fully recover.

According to studies, there is a low rate of return to pre-injury performance following shoulder injuries for baseball players.

Clayton Kershaw, Ohtani’s teammate, underwent surgery in 2023 for a shoulder injury, albeit different than a shoulder subluxation. While he did return to the Dodgers in their World Series-winning season, he was limited following the surgery.

Preventative Measures and Future Outlooks

While it is impossible to fully prevent these types of injuries, exercises that strengthen muslces and focus on stability of the shoulder can be effective in preventing shoulder injuries. Exerfcises suchg as pushups and lateral pull downs can help athletes regain strength and prevent potentially-serious injuries.

For Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers are not concerned the injury will affect his career, hoping Ohtani can return to both hitting and pitching in 2025. He does have the benefit of this occurring to his non-dominant arm. However, he may need more time to be ready to pitch for the season opener in April 2025.

Shoulder Pain Treatment at National Spine & Pain Centers

Whether you are suffering from a shoulder subluxation, a full dislocated shoulder, a rotator cuff problem, or other shoulder complications, there is a path to regaining strength and mobility in your arm. At National Spine & Pain Centers, you can find a complete pain assessment to diagnose your condition and several forms of non-surgical treatment to get back to your life.

Contact National Spine & Pain Centers to request an appointment today!