The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in your body, as you can move it in a lot more directions than your knee or elbow. However, this flexibility comes at a cost, and your shoulder joint is a lot less stable than these other large joints. This is why it’s a lot easier to dislocate your shoulder than it is your knee – because your shoulder joint is less stable.
So while your shoulder joint is less stable than other joints, that’s not a problem unless other issues develop in your shoulder which render it unstable. An unstable shoulder joint can’t function properly, and it can lead to a number of painful symptoms and additional shoulder issues. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the common problems caused by unstable shoulder joints that are left untreated.
What Causes Shoulder Instability?
Shoulder instability develops when a problem causes the soft tissues that support the shoulder joint to become stretched, torn or detached. If these ligaments and other tissues can no longer firmly hold the shoulder joint in place, it can become more mobile, putting it at risk for further injury. Oftentimes shoulder instability is caused by acute trauma to the shoulder, like what you might experience during a car crash or a fall in which you brace your fall with your arms. This tissue damage can also be the result of repetitive strain on the shoulder joint over the years. If you worked manual labor your whole life, it’s not uncommon to have shoulder instability due to tissue damage caused by repetitive actions.
Shoulder instability can be painful, or it can lead to other uncomfortable symptoms like feelings of looseness or weakness in your shoulder. Left untreated, shoulder instability can lead to even more problems for your shoulder joint, including:
- Shoulder Dislocations – An unstable joint is at a higher risk for dislocation. When the tissues can’t hold the joint in place as securely, it takes less force for the joint to pop out of place. Your risk for shoulder dislocation is much higher if you have unmanaged shoulder instability. Dislocations also become much more common after you dislocate your shoulder for the first time, so shoulder problems can snowball in a hurry if instability isn’t managed.
- Worsening Symptoms – A shoulder joint that is more mobile will shift and move more easily, which will continue to put strain on these already stretched or torn soft tissues. Eventually, more damage will occur and your symptoms will get worse. Many people hope that symptoms will go away on their own, but oftentimes they only get worse unless you actively treat the instability.
- Shoulder Weakness – This laxity in the soft tissues in your shoulder joint will make it harder for you to accomplish normal movements with your shoulder and arm. The shoulder effectively becomes weaker because of the lingering instability.
- Giving Out – Many patients say they have a persistent feeling of looseness in their shoulder, or that they constantly have to deal with the sensation that it’s going to give out at a moment’s notice. Avoiding certain activities out of fear that your shoulder may give out or dislocate is no way to go through life.
Simply put, shoulder instability is not a condition that should be ignored, especially because it tends to respond so well to treatment. Oftentimes a targeted physical therapy plan can help strengthen soft tissues in the area and provide more support to your shoulder joint. In the rare instances where surgery is necessary, shoulder stabilization tends to produce excellent results and help patients restore strength and confidence in their shoulder.
So if you believe you’re dealing with shoulder instability, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Attack the problem with active treatments and help from a professional like Dr. Holloway, and soon shoulder instability will be in the rearview mirror. For more information, or for help with your shoulder issue, reach out to his clinic today at (865) 410-7887.
