Facts About Shoulder Instability
Your shoulders are the most movable joint in your entire body, not to mention that it is crucial in many movements including lifting and rotating your arm, reaching up over your head, and turning it in several directions. But your shoulders are also at higher risks for instability because of their greater range of motion.
Shoulder pain and shoulder instability can be the result of either overuse or injury, sometimes both since overuse can increase the risks for sudden injury. It happens when the head of your upper arm bone is dislocated – forced out – of your shoulder socket. It can happen on a repeated basis, which means that you have chronic shoulder instability.
The following are the common ways that shoulder instability occurs:
- Shoulder dislocation as a result of trauma or severe injury.
- Repetitive strain especially among players of sports requiring repetitive overhead motions, such as swimmers, tennis players, and volleyball players.
- Multidirectional instability typically happens in people with naturally loose ligaments in the body (i.e., double-jointed).
In most cases, the symptoms of shoulder instability are similar despite the differences in causes. These include:
- A persistent feeling of your shoulders feeling loose, or just hanging there, or slipping in and out of their joint;
- Pain in the shoulders as caused by an injury;
- Repeated shoulder dislocations
Fortunately, shoulder instability can be treated. Just make sure to discuss your treatment options with your doctor at any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the one in Garden Grove near Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster, especially as self-treatment will do more harm than good.
The first line of defense in chronic shoulder instability is the non-surgical treatment methods. Surgery will be considered when the non-invasive treatments did not relieve the symptoms of shoulder instability including the pain in the area.
In non-surgical treatment, your doctor will suggest the following methods:
- Activity modification involves adopting changes in your lifestyle including medication or activities that worsen your symptoms;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin and ibuprofen are prescribed to lessen the intensity, frequency and duration of the pain and swelling.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the shoulder muscles as well as to improve shoulder control, both of which can increase shoulder stability. A home program should be implemented for best results.
Surgery is performed to repair stretched or torn ligaments. When the ligaments heal, these are better able to hold the shoulder joint in its proper place.
Come to any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the one at Irwindale near Duarte, Azusa, West Covina, Vincent, and Mayflower Village, for the proper treatment for shoulder dislocations.
About Healthpointe:
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Irwindale, which is conveniently located by Duarte, Azusa, West Covina, Vincent, and Mayflower Village. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.