Shoulder Instability

Selected Features of Our Program

Evaluation and Diagnosis

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that is not naturally stable. The ligaments of the shoulder and many muscles that work to control it are what make the shoulder stable. If the ligaments are damaged or stretched and if the muscles are not in balance then the patient will be symptomatic. Symptoms include pain, weakness, difficulty with overhead activities, and poor sports performance. The diagnosis is made on physical examination by a shoulder specialist. Sometimes special studies like an MRI will be used to create a picture of the shoulder ligaments.

Treatment and Recovery

The majority of patients with shoulder instability can be cured with non-surgical treatment. Even though the joint is naturally unstable, the muscles of the shoulder are strong. By training the muscles with a special program to achieve balance, the shoulder can function well, even for full sports participation. For the small number of patients who are still not satisfied after therapy treatment, surgery may offer advantages. Several different forms of instability are recognized, mainly instability in one direction versus instability in multiple directions. The form of instability determines the type of surgery. Most instability surgery is performed through the arthroscope, a fiber-optic camera inserted into the joint through tiny holes without actual incisions. Surgery is used to tighten or repair stretched or torn ligaments that hold the shoulder stable. Because the surgery is so minimally invasive, rehabilitation proceeds easily. Patients are able to return to their activities including sports after several months of ligament healing.