What Causes Shoulder Joint Instability?
Shoulder instability can result from a single high-impact injury, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm, a blow to the shoulder, or a sudden pulling movement. Repetitive strain can also contribute to the development of instability, particularly in throwing sports, team sports, and weightlifting.
Several factors can influence the risk of recurrent dislocation, including the patient’s age, bone damage sustained during the injury, lifestyle, and sporting activities.
How Is Shoulder Instability Treated?
The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the instability. Conservative treatment may include physiotherapy and exercises designed to improve shoulder stability and proprioception (joint position awareness).
If instability persists despite conservative treatment, surgical stabilisation may be necessary.
In the absence of significant bone loss, an arthroscopic Bankart repair may be performed. During the procedure, the detached labrum is reattached to the rim of the shoulder socket using special suture anchors.
In cases of significant bone loss, a Latarjet procedure may be required. The aim of this procedure is to restore the missing bony stability and improve the overall stability of the shoulder joint.
