by Kris Kennedy

Created on: June 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

Unstable Shoulder

The most flexible joint of the body is vulnerable from injury or wear and tear. Disease can affect the joint as well.

Define the problem

The shoulder provides multiple directional movements. Since it is a working joint, it becomes prone to over extension injuries. Injuries can require the least amount of treatment, but may place the injured on a path to more extensive injury. Just as a mechanical piece begins to wear from extensive use, the over use of the joint causes an exhilaration of the physical conditions that attack joints. Since activity provides many other benefits to the body, people giving early attention to problems if the problems are going to cause a reduction in activity.

Tendonitis, Bursitis and Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis damage to the joint. The treatments are simple to more complex to address. Sometimes shoulder pain comes from other aliments in the body such as carpal tunnel since another injury in another part impedes the movement of the shoulder.

Treatment Options

If complete instability occurs and the shoulder is dislocated, a physician must relocate the shoulder in a hospital. If the dislocation occurred from sports or physical activity, relocation might complete the treatment with only anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize pain.

With repeated injury, physical therapy may be required to regain the strength in the joint and once again supported with anti-inflammatory drugs. The injury can come from tears in the cartilage. Repeated injury can cause the joint to develop conditions of tendonitis and bursitis. These conditions may need more extensive therapy and drug use to prevent the freezing of the shoulder.

Disease such as osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis can minimize the effectiveness of the joint, which requires specific drug therapies. This comes from the cartilage in the joint start to degenerate. Early treatment can minimize long-term damage to the joint from use while impaired. Persistence of the problems may cause a surgical intervention.

Surgical Treatment

If the shoulder freezes up, physical or drug therapy fails or the repeatedly dislocated with minimal activity, surgical intervention may need. Arthroscopic surgery will repair what portion of the joint is failing. Most Arthroscopic surgeries occur as an outpatient basis and the paint rehabs at home with physical therapy at a physical therapy. The patient will wear the arm in sling for a few weeks. Other more extensive surgeries might require a few days stay at a hospital, but usually not an extended hospital stay.

Unstable shoulder can cause people to give up activities that promote general health and physical and psychological well-being. Dealing with unstable shoulder early benefits the complete person.

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