How long is the recovery period for a dislocated shoulder?

Depends: That depends on many factors, including your age, the relative looseness of your shoulder, and the number of times you have dislocated (to name a few). It also depends on whether it is repair, whether there is a labral tear, or whether there is a rotator cuff tear. Bony loss and injury can further complicate this. Basically, you should see your friendly neighborhood sports orthopedic surgeon!

6-12 weeks: This depends greatly on other injuries that may have occurred during the dislocation. A simple shoulder dislocation without other injury typically recovers with therapy in 6-12 weeks. Shoulder dislocations that have other injuries such as rotator cuff tear or labral tears that commonly occur during a dislocation may require surgery and take longer to heal.

Depends: First the shoulder needs to be reduced back into joint and a sling is needed. Next you need to determine if labrum, tendon, or bone was injured. Plain x-rays and an MRI can help determine that. Most patients >age 40 will have some sort or rotator cuff injury/tear. Physical exam and MRI would clarify if there is a tendon injury. A better outcome is associated with early diagnosis and treatment.