Shoulder instability

What is shoulder instability?

The shoulder is one of the most commonly dislocated joints, leading to pain, worry, and reduced function. While the causes of shoulder instability can vary, physiotherapy is often the best way to understand and manage your condition with active strategies.

Shoulder instability happens when the shoulder dislocates (comes out of joint) or subluxes (moves too far) during everyday activities. The type of treatment depends on how this occurs.

The two main causes of shoulder instability are:

• Traumatic dislocation: Caused by a forceful injury, such as a rugby tackle or fall onto an outstretched hand.
• Non-traumatic (atraumatic) dislocation: Occurs without injury, often due to abnormal motion or positioning of the shoulder.

Symptoms may include:

• A feeling of insecurity in the shoulder during movement or even at rest, including while sleeping.
• Pain around the shoulder, sometimes spreading down the arm.
• Difficulty or apprehension when lifting the arm overhead.
• Repeated shoulder dislocations or subluxations, with some people able to dislocate their shoulder at will (sometimes referred to as a “party trick”).