Chronic Shoulder Instability/Dislocation

The shoulder is the joint with the greatest range of motion in the body, but that freedom of motion makes it prone to instability. Shoulder instability is a chronic condition in which the shoulder joint frequently dislocates. It can be caused by an injury or through repetitive motions. The initial dislocation can be partial, where the humerus (upper arm) bone is partially out of the socket, or complete, where the humerus bone is all the way out of the socket. Both are accompanied by pain in the shoulder. Either type of dislocation can have symptoms such as swelling, weakness in the shoulder, bruising, spasms and numbness. There can also be torn ligaments or tendons in the shoulder or damage to nerves during a dislocation. Once a shoulder has dislocated, it is likely that it will occur again.

The shoulder joint can dislocate in a number of different directions; however, the most common is when the shoulder slips forward (anterior instability) and the humeral head rolls out of the front of the socket. This means the upper arm bone moved forward and down out of its joint. It is crucial to let your doctor know how many times the shoulder has dislocated and how it happened so proper diagnoses and treatment can be provided.

Typically, shoulder instability does not need surgical treatment unless nonsurgical treatments continue to fail over time. The ball of the humerus will be placed back into the socket by the doctor, and the pain usually stops after this is done. Seeing a specialist, like our doctors at YourOrthoSolution, is helpful to properly evaluate the condition and determine the ideal treatment.

Physical Therapy

You may need to wear a sling or other device for a period of time to allow the shoulder to rest and stabilize. Once the shoulder is ready, physical therapy exercises will help you regain strength, range of motion and mobility. Strengthening the shoulder should help prevent future dislocations. If the problem happens frequently and all other treatments fail, you may need surgery to repair the shoulder.

As with all of our procedures and treatments, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel a part of our family. We specialize in treating injuries, including chronic shoulder instability, and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.

At YourOrthoSolution, all of our doctors and staff are dedicated to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience each time you visit our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to full mobility as quickly as possible.