The shoulder is a complex collection of tendons, ligaments, and muscles intersecting between the upper arm and the neck. Each of these individual components must work in concert with the bones and hard, inflexible cartilage in the shoulder for the joint to function as necessary. When the bone or soft tissues are injured or damaged, the ball of the joint is more likely to come out of the socket, known as a dislocation.
A partial dislocation, or subluxation, is a minor injury that typically does not have a long-term impact on the victim’s life, but a full dislocation can have serious impacts on the soft tissues and may make future dislocations more common as a result. Shoulder instability is the term used to describe a damaged shoulder that repeatedly comes out of the socket, and if you are suffering from shoulder instability, then you will want to work with a healthcare specialist to get the appropriate treatment.
Common Causes of Shoulder Instability
When the shoulder’s tendons, muscles, and ligaments are torn or stretched loose, the shoulder will be dislocated more often, leading to further shoulder instability. There are a number of ways this can happen, each of which deserves medical care to address this problem before it is further exacerbated.
Dislocated Shoulder
When the shoulder is dislocated, often from an impact or twisting injury, the ball of the shoulder pulls from the socket and stretches the muscles and soft tissues that hold it into place. Repeated stretching and tearing of these tissues will lead to further instability that can result in more frequent dislocations.
Shoulder Strain
Physical activity and a variety of repetitive motions can all loosen the shoulder muscles or soft tissues. Actions like throwing a ball, swimming, or swinging a tennis racket can lead to shoulder strain that could increase the likelihood or frequency of shoulder dislocations. Any shoulder strain should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
Multidirectional Instability
What we refer to as being “double-jointed” is a form of instability that some people are born with. Moving the shoulder into a particular position can cause the joint to dislocate for these people, and repeatedly dislocating the joint in this manner can lead to additional instability issues.
Shoulder Instability Treatments
The preferred treatment for shoulder instability will depend on a range of factors, such as how extensive the damage is to the soft tissues holding the shoulder in place. A doctor will often favor nonsurgical treatment as the first option in order to avoid invasive procedures, but if the damage is significant enough, then surgery may be the best option. Shoulder instability is typically addressed with arthroscopic surgery, meaning that the treatment is minimally invasive.
Arthroscopic surgery is performed using a small tube that houses a camera and small tools that fit through a single, small incision. This approach minimizes risks like nerve damage, infection, scarring, and additional damage while helping you get the care you need to move forward with your life. If you need to find a doctor to treat your dislocated shoulder, you can call 1-800-Injured. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.