Chiropractic treatment for shoulder instability.

Chiropractic and shoulder instability

What is shoulder instability?

Shoulder instability is a problem that occurs when the structures that surround the gleno-humeral (shoulder) joint do not work to maintain the ball within its socket. If the joint is too loose, is may slide partially out of place, a condition called shoulder subluxation. If the joint comes completely out of place, this is called a shoulder dislocation. Patients with shoulder instability often complain of an uncomfortable sensation that their shoulder may be about to slide out of place - this is what is called apprehension. Hence, the name for the test that chiropractors use to identify shoulder instability – the apprehension test.

Shoulder instability tends to occur in three groups of people:

• Prior Shoulder Dislocations

  Patients who have sustained a prior shoulder dislocation often develop chronic instability. In these patients, the ligaments that support the shoulder are torn when the dislocation occurs. If these ligaments heal too loosely, then the shoulder will be prone to repeat dislocation and episodes of instability. When younger patients (less than about 35 years old) sustain a traumatic dislocation, shoulder instability will follow in about 80% of patients.

• Young Athletes

  Athletes who compete in sports that involve overhead activities may have a loose shoulder or multidirectional instability (MDI). These athletes, such as volleyball players, swimmers, and baseball pitchers, stretch out the shoulder capsule and ligaments, and may develop chronic shoulder instability. While they may not completely dislocate the joint, the apprehension, or feeling of being about to dislocate, may prevent their ability to play these sports or see a marked reduction in performance.

• "Double-Jointed" Patients

  Patients with some connective tissue disorders may have loose shoulder joints. In patients who have a condition that causes joint laxity, or being double-jointed, their joints may be too loose throughout their body. This can lead to shoulder instability and even dislocations.

What is the treatment of shoulder instability?

Chiropractors have many tools at their disposal to treat shoulder instability.Treatment depends on several factors, and almost always begins with chiropractic manipulation, mobilisation and rehabilitation. If patients complain of a feeling that their shoulder is loose or about to dislocate, chiropractic treatment with specific strengthening exercises will often help maintain the shoulder in proper position. Shoulder strengthening is most likely to help the second group of patients - athletes with multidirectional shoulder instability. Sports taping and wearing a support are important adjunctive methods to stabilise the shoulder.

Other treatments sometimes used to treat shoulder instability include sclerosing injections and, if severe, surgery.

For enquiries please call:

Milton Keynes: 01908 307075
Northampton: 01604 460200
Aylesbury: 01296 489231

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