Overview

Definition

Shoulder instability is when the upper-end of the arm bone slides partly or fully out of the shoulder socket.

Shoulder Instability
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Causes

This problem is often caused by repetitive trauma and overuse.

Risk Factors

This problem is more common in men between the ages of 18 and 25. It is also more common in baseball pitchers.

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Problems may be:

  • Pain in the shoulder
  • Pain with throwing motion
  • Shoulder may slip out of place
  • Shoulder or arm weakness
  • Shoulder may feel loose

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on your shoulder.

Images of your shoulder may be taken. This can be done with x-rays.

Treatments

Treatment

It may take 3 months to heal. The goals of treatment are to ease pain and swelling. This may include:

  • Medicine to ease pain and swelling
  • A sling to prevent the shoulder from moving as it heals
  • Exercises to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion

Surgery

Some people may need surgery when other methods do not help. Surgery may be done to repair torn or stretched ligaments so they can hold the shoulder joint in place.

Prevention

Strengthening the rotator cuff muscles may help prevent some injuries. This can be done with exercise.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.

RESOURCES

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org 

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org 

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org 

Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org 

References

Chronic shoulder instability. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00529. Updated December 2013. Accessed December 9, 2019.

Desmeules F, Barry J, et al. Surgical interventions for post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014;(5):CD011092.

Nassiri N, Eliasberg C, et al. Shoulder instability in the overhead athlete: A systematic review comparing arthroscopic and open stabilization procedures. 2015;3(2):suppl2325967115S00154.

Owens BD, Campbell SE, et al. Risk factors for anterior glenohumeral instability. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(11):2591-2596.

Recurrent subluxation of shoulder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  https://www.dynamed.com/condition/recurrent-subluxation-of-shoulder . Updated August 21, 2014. Accessed December 9, 2019.

Woodward TW, Best TM. The painful shoulder: part I. Clinical evaluation. Am Fam Physician. 2000 May 15;61(10):3079-3088.