As the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, it is among the body parts most prone to injury.
In addition to shoulder impingements involving rotator cuffs, Physio Health Clinic’s primary physiotherapist, Andrew is experienced in preventing and treating a range of sporting shoulder injuries.
One of the most common ones experienced by athletes and sporting types is shoulder instability and dislocation. This injury can occur if you’re participating in contact sports, and happens when your ligaments, muscles, and tendons no longer secure your shoulder joint. As a result, the round, top part of your upper arm bone dislocates (the bone pops out of the shoulder socket completely), or subluxates (the bone partially comes out of the socket).
Dislocation is characterised by the sensation of the shoulder “popping” or “rolling” out of place at the time of occurrence, followed by the appearance of deformity in the shoulder. Sufferers may experience severe, sudden onset of pain while subluxation (partial dislocation) may be accompanied by short bursts of pain. Other symptoms may include muscle spasms, a decrease in shoulder mobility, numbness and weakness, bruising and swelling and a lack of movement.
While professional medical assistance is usually required to help put the shoulder back into its place, physio treatments can aid in the ongoing recovery.