SHOULDER INSTABILITY

ABOUT SHOULDER INSTABILITY

Shoulder instability refers to a dislocation of the joint. This is where the bone at the top of the arm pops out of the socket in the shoulder. Dislocation can cause damage to the soft tissues supporting the joint. Once a shoulder has dislocated once, it’s often prone to dislocation again, often because of weaknesses created in the soft tissues from the first dislocation. We can treat shoulder instability in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop.

A shoulder dislocation can be caused by an impact or traumatic injury. But because the shoulder joint has such a great range of movement, repetitive overhead tasks can also cause a dislocation, such as a painter/decorator might perform. You can also be predisposed to dislocations because of looser or flexible ligaments.

Shoulder instability and multiple dislocations can lead to damage to the bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles, including the rotator cuff, plus damage to the nerves and blood vessels.

SHOULDER INSTABILITY SYMPTOMS

If you have dislocated your shoulder there will likely be:

• Visible deformity in the shoulder

• Intense pain

• Inability to move your arm or hand

• Swelling and bruising

• Numbness in your arm or shoulder and neck

Treatment for a dislocated shoulder starts with getting the bone back in the joint as quickly as possible, recovery from the initial pain, then rehabilitation that starts with regaining full range of movement and then strengthening the soft tissues.If you have shoulder instability, your symptoms will be:

• Repeated shoulder dislocations

• Shoulder that feels loose or weak

• Pain in the shoulder

TREATING SHOULDER INSTABILITY

Recovering from your first or subsequent shoulder dislocation could require extensive physiotherapy. You may also need to change your lifestyle to avoid activities that could cause another dislocation.

Surgical treatments for shoulder instability focus on repairing damaged soft tissues to give improved joint stability. Surgery will be followed by a course of physiotherapy. Book an appointment to treat your shoulder instability in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster or Worksop. You can also follow us on social media.