Treating Shoulder Instability

The shoulder is composed of the shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle), and upper arm bone (humerus). With two joints, the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular, the shoulder is widely considered to be the least stable joint in the human body.

“The shoulder can move in multiple directions, allowing athletes to apply force or pressure to it,” explains Dr. Steven T. Thaxter, shoulder surgeon at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics. “This is why the shoulder is more prone to injury than any other joint in the human body.”

One of the most common shoulder injuries is instability. Shoulder instability occurs when the head of your athletes’ upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury or from overuse. If one of your athletes is experiencing pain in his or her shoulder, repeated shoulder dislocations, repeated experiences of his or her shoulder giving out, and a sensation of his or her shoulder feeling loose, he or she may be suffering from shoulder instability.

Often, shoulder instability can be treated using nonsurgical methods including activity moderation, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy. However, surgery may be necessary to repair torn or stretched ligaments within an athlete’s joint so that they can better hold his or her joint in place. The shoulder doctors at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics say shoulder instability may be treated during a minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy procedure, but on occasion, may require an open surgery to repair the damaged ligaments.

For additional information on shoulder injuries or to schedule an appointment for one of your athletes, contact the doctors at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics by calling (559) 257-4107.