Shoulder instability and dislocation: symptoms and treatment

By Cristiano Antonino On Oct 30, 2022

Shoulder instability can be post-traumatic (i.e. after an accidental dislocation) or idiopathic in nature (i.e. due to congenital over-elasticity of joint structures)

What are the symptoms of shoulder instability?

The symptoms are both painful and, above all, functional; in fact, instability leads to the occurrence of new episodes of dislocation or subluxation that are very painful and disabling for the patient.

The treatment of shoulder instability

The treatment of most of these cases can be performed arthroscopically (i.e. with the aid of fibre optics).

Arthroscopy has the advantage of being less invasive, as the entire procedure is performed through very small incisions of around 4-5 mm.

Insults to the deltoid and pectoral musculature, which is partly violated in open surgery, are therefore spared.

The operation consists of suturing or reinserting the glenoid labrum, the joint ligaments or retracting the joint capsule using microscopic (3 mm) anchors.

During the operation, the condition of the entire joint is also checked, i.e. also the rotator cuff tendons, which are sometimes injured in individuals with a history of multiple dislocations and over 45 years of age.

The patient must then be immobilised for about 4 weeks with a special brace, thus avoiding traction movements on the sutured tissues.

Physiotherapy, which is very important, begins in the immediate post-operative period.

Return to normal daily activity can take place in about 45 days after surgery; return to sporting activity in 90-120 days.

The results of arthroscopic surgery have improved greatly in recent years: success occurs in more than 95% of cases.