SHOULDER INSTABILITY (SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY PERSPECTIVE)
INTRODUCTION
Shoulder instability is a frequent condition in athletes, especially in those participating in overhead or
contact sports such as swimming, tennis, volleyball, baseball, and rugby. It occurs when the shoulder
joint fails to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid fossa during movements, resulting in partial
or complete dislocations. This condition can lead to pain, decreased performance, and an increased risk
of recurrent injuries. Physiotherapists are essential in the assessment, rehabilitation, prevention, and
post-surgical management of shoulder instability.
Additional points: - Can be acute (traumatic) or chronic (repetitive microtrauma) - Requires early
identification and structured rehabilitation - Understanding shoulder biomechanics is crucial for
effective treatment - Goal is to restore stability while maintaining mobility and function
DEFINITION
Shoulder instability is the inability of the shoulder joint to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid
fossa during active or passive movement. It can present as pain, subluxation, or recurrent dislocation.
Key points: - Can be anterior, posterior, or multidirectional - May result from trauma or atraumatic
repetitive stress - Causes functional limitations in sports and daily activities
TYPES OF SHOULDER INSTABILITY
1. Anterior Instability
2. Most common type
3. Humeral head moves anteriorly out of the glenoid
4. Frequently caused by trauma or repetitive overhead motion
5. Symptoms: Apprehension during abduction and external rotation, pain, recurrent dislocations
6. Posterior Instability
7. Humeral head moves posteriorly
8. Less common, associated with bench press, weightlifting, seizures
9. Symptoms: Posterior pain, weakness during pushing movements, subtle subluxations
10. Inferior Instability
11. Downward displacement of the humeral head
12. Rare, associated with ligamentous laxity
13. Symptoms: Sulcus sign, feeling of shoulder slipping down
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INTRODUCTION
Shoulder instability is a frequent condition in athletes, especially in those participating in overhead or
contact sports such as swimming, tennis, volleyball, baseball, and rugby. It occurs when the shoulder
joint fails to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid fossa during movements, resulting in partial
or complete dislocations. This condition can lead to pain, decreased performance, and an increased risk
of recurrent injuries. Physiotherapists are essential in the assessment, rehabilitation, prevention, and
post-surgical management of shoulder instability.
Additional points: - Can be acute (traumatic) or chronic (repetitive microtrauma) - Requires early
identification and structured rehabilitation - Understanding shoulder biomechanics is crucial for
effective treatment - Goal is to restore stability while maintaining mobility and function
DEFINITION
Shoulder instability is the inability of the shoulder joint to maintain the humeral head within the glenoid
fossa during active or passive movement. It can present as pain, subluxation, or recurrent dislocation.
Key points: - Can be anterior, posterior, or multidirectional - May result from trauma or atraumatic
repetitive stress - Causes functional limitations in sports and daily activities
TYPES OF SHOULDER INSTABILITY
1. Anterior Instability
2. Most common type
3. Humeral head moves anteriorly out of the glenoid
4. Frequently caused by trauma or repetitive overhead motion
5. Symptoms: Apprehension during abduction and external rotation, pain, recurrent dislocations
6. Posterior Instability
7. Humeral head moves posteriorly
8. Less common, associated with bench press, weightlifting, seizures
9. Symptoms: Posterior pain, weakness during pushing movements, subtle subluxations
10. Inferior Instability
11. Downward displacement of the humeral head
12. Rare, associated with ligamentous laxity
13. Symptoms: Sulcus sign, feeling of shoulder slipping down
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