Shoulder instability occurs when the structures that hold the shoulder joint together—muscles, tendons, and ligaments—are weakened or damaged. In swimmers, this typically happens due to the repetitive overhead motions involved in their strokes. Over time, these motions place stress on the shoulder joint, potentially causing it to become loose or even dislocate. Instability can result in pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, all of which can affect a swimmer’s performance.

Understanding the cause of your shoulder pain is the first step to a full recovery. Working with a sports medicine specialist like Dr. Sterett ensures a tailored treatment plan that addresses the specific injury and your unique needs as an athlete.

Shoulder instability occurs when the structures surrounding the shoulder joint no longer keep the ball within its socket, leading to frequent shoulder dislocations or a feeling that the shoulder might give out. This condition can result from a traumatic injury, repetitive strain, or congenital factors.

The question, "can a dislocated shoulder cause a rotator cuff tear?" is often asked by patients. The answer is yes. The force that dislocates the shoulder can indeed cause a tear in the rotator cuff.

Dr. Sterett states, "Shoulder popping may originate from dynamic interactions between the bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage within the joint”

Dr. Sterett explains, “The most common direction for a shoulder dislocation is anteriorly – where the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket towards the front of the body. This type of dislocation, known as an anterior shoulder dislocation, accounts for approximately 95% of all shoulder dislocations.”

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