Shoulder Instability

Unstable shoulder is one that is 'loose' and does not stay in joint as it should normally. This may merely slide around in the joint - subluxation - or actulally come out - dislocation.

Instability can be a result of an injury such as in contact sports where it often damages soft tissue or bone structures in the shoulder joint. A bankart lesion is often created where the glenoid (socket) is damaged allowing the humeral head (the ball) to slip out of joint.

 

 

Bony Bankart lesion, seen at arthroscopy