We’ve talked about shoulder instability on this blog in the past, and oftentimes this instability develops in the wake of trauma to the shoulder region. Perhaps you fell off a ladder and landed on your shoulder or took a significant blow to the area during athletic competition. This trauma can damage the supportive tissues that hold your shoulder joint in place, leading to instability and the threat of future issues like rotator cuff tears or a dislocation.
However, shoulder instability doesn’t always develop out of physical trauma. Some people may find that their shoulder is unstable as a result of other underlying issues. This is known as atraumatic shoulder instability, and in today’s blog, we explore why it can develop and how Dr. Holloway can help you treat it.
Causes Of Atraumatic Shoulder Instability
So if your shoulder instability isn’t caused by acute trauma, what actually led to the instability? There are a few different reasons why someone may develop atraumatic shoulder instability, including:
- Repetitive Movements – It’s not uncommon for people to develop shoulder instability as a result of repetitive movements and chronic stress on the shoulder joint. While this could fall under the “trauma” umbrella, repetitive motions causing microtrauma aren’t viewed in the same light as a major injury like a shoulder fracture, so we think it deserves its own category. Over time, repetitive stress can slowly cause the supportive ligaments in your shoulder to become looser, meaning they’ll have a tough time holding the shoulder in a secure and stable position.
- Genetics – Some people are simply genetically predisposed to developing atraumatic shoulder instability. This certainly doesn’t mean that you are destined to develop the condition, but some people simply have ligaments that are looser than others. If all conditions were the same, these individuals may be more likely to develop atraumatic shoulder instability, but if they work to exercise and strengthen their shoulders, they can mitigate any genetic risk of the condition.
- Development – While some people may have a genetic predisposition, others may develop atraumatic shoulder instability as a result of physical stressors they encounter during adolescence and their years as a young adult while their body is still growing and developing. Certain athletes, like pitchers, golfers or gymnasts may be more likely to develop atraumatic shoulder instability if they pursue these activities heavily at a young age.
Atraumatic shoulder instability tends to affect younger individuals under the age of 25, as older individuals are more likely to suffer from traumatic shoulder instability. If you are dealing with discomfort or feelings of instability in one or both of your shoulders, consider talking with your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway.
Treating Atraumatic Shoulder Instability
How to best treat atraumatic shoulder instability will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Caught early enough, your specialist may be able to help you restore stability through a combination of non-operative techniques, including activity modification and physical therapy. Your doctor may also want to address some underlying psychological issues that may be impacting your shoulder health. For example, many patients may have anxiety or fear about moving their unstable shoulder, and while we understand where this concern is coming from, the best thing to do for your shoulder is to move it in a controlled and appropriate manner. Movement will help to strengthen and stabilize your shoulder, so addressing any anxiety about pursuing strength training movement can be beneficial.
For the right patient, a surgical procedure may be recommended. Your surgeon can artificially strengthen the shoulder joint and correct the instability, but it’s important that the root cause is always addressed, otherwise the tissues may loosen again down the road. Even when surgery is pursued, most patients will follow through with a rehabilitation plan that includes the previously mentioned conservative techniques, like physical therapy and activity modification.
For more information about atraumatic shoulder instability, or to talk to a specialist about a different shoulder issue you’re experiencing, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
