The shoulder is a ball and socket joint composed of the humeral head, which is the ball, and the glenoid is the socket. Shoulder instability occurs when the humeral head separates from the glenoid. Movement Concepts Physical Therapy in Carle Place has great experience treating shoulder instability.
Causes
Shoulder instability commonly occurs in athletes playing contact sports, including hockey, wrestling, and football, but can also occur in athletes playing sports with little to no contact. Shoulder instability can often occur in people who have increased shoulder joint looseness caused by repetitive overuse motion. Some ways shoulder instability can occur include:
- Falling onto the arm
- Colliding with a person or into a surface
- Seizures
- Diving or sliding head first
- Overuse of the shoulder muscles is very common in baseball and volleyball players.
Symptoms
People with shoulder stability can sometimes feel the shoulder pop out of the typically painful socket. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact our physical therapy in Carle Place.
- Intense shoulder pain
- Numbness and/or tingling in the shoulder
- Immobility or weakness of the shoulder
- The shoulder is visibly out of place
Diagnosis & Treatment
A physician will ask for the medical history of the patient and perform a physical exam. During the exam, the physician will check for spots of tenderness, degree of looseness, strength, and range of motion. X-rays are normally performed to get information about the possible causes of the instability and to rule out other causes of the pain, such as a fracture.
Before the patient begins physical therapy, they may need to wear a sling or brace to immobilize the shoulder. During physical therapy, the patient will begin with a range of motion exercises and then strengthening exercises once the range of motion is better. At our physical therapy in Carle Place, our goal is to stabilize your shoulder and prevent it from being reinjured. To read more about shoulder instability, click here.
Physical Therapy in Carle Place
At Movement Concepts, our physical therapy in Carle Place is here to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals and reach your highest potential. Our team is welcoming and enthusiastic and will provide you with the best care. To schedule an appointment, contact us today!