We don’t realize how often we rely on our shoulder joints until a problem develops and every lift or movement causes discomfort. And when you consider how often we use our shoulders, it can be difficult to protect them from further injury if we don’t actively seek out treatment. One such condition that should be stopped before it leads to additional issues is shoulder instability. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what causes shoulder instability and how Dr. Holloway can help you re-stabilize the shoulder joint.
What Causes Shoulder Instability?
The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the body, which is both good and bad. It’s extended range of motion helps it to perform essential functions, but this hypermobility can also lead to instability and additional injuries if too much stress is placed on the area when it’s in an exposed position. When this happens, the tissues that support the shoulder are unable to keep your arm centered in your shoulder socket.
But what could cause this instability to develop in the first place? The most common cause of shoulder instability is overstress to the joint, and that stress can come in two forms – acute stress and repetitive stress. An acute stress injury to the shoulder joint occurs when the shoulder is overloaded in a moment of intense pressure, like if you fell off a ladder, were involved in a car accident or hurt yourself sliding head first into second base. Repetitive stress, as the name implies, occurs when your shoulder is subjected to chronic stress and pressure over an extended period of time. This is more common among athletes, assembly line workers and anyone that regularly lifts their arms above their head on a daily basis.
Shoulder joint instability is also incredibly common after a shoulder dislocation. When your shoulder is dislocated, the soft tissues that work hard to hold it in place are overstretched and damaged. Even when the dislocation is corrected, the stress that was placed on these connective tissues oftentimes makes them looser and less supportive, meaning it takes less force for your shoulder to dislocate a second time.
Signs that your shoulder joint is unstable include:
- Joint pain
- A feeling of looseness in the shoulder
- One arm appearing to hang down further than the other
- Frequent dislocations or chronic shoulder weakness
How To Treat Shoulder Instability
Treating shoulder instability depends on your symptoms and the extent of your instability. To determine the best course of treatment, you’ll want to undergo an exam at the hands of a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway. He’ll begin by asking about your symptoms and injury, reviewing your medical history, and conducting some physical tests to see how the joint responds to different movements and motions. Your doctor will likely have a good understanding of what you’re likely dealing with through this examination, but they may opt to confirm their suspicions or rule out any additional possibilities with the help of an imaging test like an X-ray, MRI or CT scan.
Assuming a diagnosis of shoulder instability is given, your specialist will then walk you through what they perceive to be the best course of treatment. For more minor or mild cases, a combination of physical therapy, rest and other strength training exercises can help to stabilize the shoulder joint and decrease symptoms. For many patients, a few weeks of physical therapy can do wonders for their shoulder stability.
In the event that physical therapy and conservative treatments fail to achieve the desired result or if your severe instability is putting you at risk for frequent dislocations, surgery may be recommended. Your surgeon can walk you through the operation and their expectations should it progress to this point, but the underlying goal of surgery is to artificially strengthen the supportive ligaments so that shoulder stability is reinforced. Most people experience fantastic results when they pursue shoulder instability surgery, but a number of people never progress to this point because a provider-led conservative care plan tends to yield great results.
So if your shoulder feels loose or certain actions have become painful, consider heading to a specialist to have the joint looked at. Stability issues aren’t likely to heal on their own, and in fact they often get worse, so it’s best to address the problem head on with the help of a specialist. Dr. Holloway can be that resource for you if you’re dealing with shoulder instability. For more information, contact his office today at (865) 410-7887.
