Occurring against Fiji during the Nations Championship, this injury deprived the player of the end of the autumn tour. While the absence of a fracture is reassuring, a shoulder dislocation should not be taken lightly, particularly in a rugby player subjected to repeated contact. Joint reduction, immobilization, rehabilitation: this is what the treatment usually provides.
A fall, a grimace of pain and a verdict: Romain Ntamack suffers from a dislocated shoulder
The victory of the XV of France against Fiji (54-17), Saturday November 7, 2026, left a bitter taste. In the 33rd minute of play, Romain Ntamack was injured during an offensive action which had just allowed the Blues to get closer to the opposing goal. After being tackled by the Fijian Sowakula, the Toulouse opener fell heavily to the ground, his left arm outstretched.
The pain is immediate. Number 10 remains on the ground, his face tense, before leaving the pitch supported by members of the medical staff, his arm held in a sling using his jersey. Maxime Lucu then takes his place. At half-time, Fabien Galthié did not hide his concern and mentioned a possible dislocation of the shoulder.
Medical examinations carried out after the meeting finally confirmed this diagnosis. According to information from
The Teamthe 27-year-old player does suffer from a dislocation of the left shoulder, without an associated fracture. Rather reassuring news in view of the first images: no surgical intervention would be necessary at this stage, according to Rugby Toulouse.
But what exactly does this injury mean? “A dislocation corresponds to a complete exit of the head of the humerus out of its glenoid cavity.explains Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical. In other words, the arm bone leaves its natural location in the shoulder joint. In the case of Romain Ntamack, it is a left glenohumeral dislocation, without associated fracture.
While the absence of fracture is good news, it does not mean that the joint is unharmed. A dislocation can be accompanied by damage to the ligaments, the labrum – a fibrocartilaginous structure which helps to hold the head of the humerus in its housing – or the tendons. So many elements that doctors must take into account before considering a return to competition.
Reduction, immobilization, physiotherapy: how to treat a shoulder dislocation?
The first step of treatment is to put the joint back into place. This medical maneuver, called reduction, must be carried out by a healthcare professional, generally in the emergency room and under analgesia to limit pain.
“Treatment begins with a reduction: putting the joint back in place, carried out by a doctor in the emergency room under analgesia, never by an attempt at “putting it back” by another person.specifies Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
An x-ray is then taken to check that the joint has returned to its normal position and rule out an associated fracture. If doctors suspect damage to the ligaments, labrum or tendons, an MRI may also be ordered to more precisely assess the lesions.
Once the shoulder is back in place, the work is far from over. Management is generally based on appropriate immobilization, pain medication and progressive rehabilitation. The objective: to allow the joint to regain its mobility, but also its stability.
Physiotherapy begins with the recovery of joint range of motion, before moving towards strengthening the rotator cuff and the muscles which stabilize the shoulder. The resumption of sporting activities then occurs in stages. Depending on the severity of the injury and the level of physical activity, rehabilitation can last from 8 to 16 weeks.
For a professional rugby player, this recovery is of particular importance. The shoulder is constantly stressed during tackles, falls, contact phases and technical movements. Regaining satisfactory mobility is therefore not enough: you must also recover complete muscular strength and good proprioception, that is to say the body’s ability to perceive the position of the joint and to control it.
“Two months are required to restore shoulder stability, regain full strength and reduce the risk of recurrence, particularly important in a contact sport like rugby.”underlines Dr Gérald Kierzek. Too early recovery, before complete recovery of mobility, strength and proprioception, increases the risk of a new dislocation or associated injury.
At least two months off: the 6 Nations Tournament remains in the sights
For Romain Ntamack, the priority is now to recover without skipping steps. According to information from The Teamits unavailability is estimated at approximately two months. A duration which should deprive it of the end of the Nations Championship and the last deadlines of the year 2026. A prospect which however suggests a possibility of return for the 6 Nations Tournament, which kicks off in February. At this stage, his participation in the competition is not called into question.
But this schedule remains conditional on the evolution of his injury. Because, as Dr. Gérald Kierzek reminds us, the recovery time does not depend solely on the disappearance of the pain. Doctors must in particular ensure that the shoulder has regained sufficient stability to withstand the constraints of professional rugby.
Medical and functional monitoring will therefore be essential. Mobility, muscular strength, quality of movements and proprioception must be assessed before resuming contact training, then competition.
Another point of vigilance: the risk of recurrence. A shoulder that has already suffered a dislocation can remain unstable, especially when the structures that support it have been weakened. “If the dislocation repeats, if a significant lesion of the labrum or ligaments is identified, or if the shoulder remains unstable despite rehabilitation, stabilization surgery can be discussed.indicates the medical director of True Medical.
For the moment, no operation has been announced for the Toulouse player. The absence of fracture constitutes a favorable element, but caution remains in order. At 27, Romain Ntamack must once again deal with an injury which interrupts his sporting dynamics. His return will now depend less on the schedule than on the ability of his shoulder to regain all its functions.