Shoulder Instability Specialist
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Joe Cooper, MD
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA & Brentwood, CA
Shoulder instability occurs when the ball of the shoulder joint (humeral head) slips partially or completely out of the socket. It most commonly develops after a traumatic dislocation — often during contact sports or a fall — but can also result from repetitive overhead activity that gradually stretches the shoulder capsule and ligaments. Without proper treatment, instability tends to worsen over time and can lead to recurrent dislocations, labral damage, and early arthritis.
Dr. Cooper specializes in arthroscopic shoulder stabilization for patients with recurrent instability. For anterior instability from a Bankart lesion (the most common type), he reattaches the torn labrum and tightens the stretched capsule through small portals using suture anchors — restoring the shoulder's natural bumper and dramatically reducing the risk of re-dislocation. Patients with significant bone loss may require additional procedures such as a Latarjet (coracoid transfer) to restore bony stability.
Arthroscopic stabilization is an outpatient procedure with a well-established track record. Patients wear a sling for four to six weeks, then progress through physical therapy to regain strength and proprioception. Athletes typically return to contact sport at five to six months. Dr. Cooper's goal is a shoulder that is stable, strong, and confident — allowing you to return to the activities that dislocated it in the first place.
Shoulder Instability Q & A
What is shoulder instability?
Shoulder instability is a condition in which the ball of your upper arm bone comes out of your shoulder socket (dislocates) on a regular basis. After a first shoulder dislocation, you're quite likely to experience the problem of chronic shoulder instability if you don't seek treatment.
Shoulder instability is usually related to an injury, such as a tear in your shoulder labrum. The labrum is a cartilage ring around your joint socket. It helps your upper arm bone to remain in place, so a tear allows too much movement, and that can lead to shoulder instability.
Labral tears frequently occur at the same time as other shoulder injuries, like rotator cuff tears, which can further increase the risk of shoulder dislocation leading to chronic instability.
Some people have naturally loose shoulder ligaments, a condition called hyperlaxity. If you have this problem, you may develop shoulder instability even if you never have a dislocation.
What are the symptoms of shoulder instability?
If you have shoulder instability, you may experience:
- Excessive shoulder movement, like frequent slipping in and out of the socket
- Decreased shoulder range of motion
- Shoulder weakness
- Pain with certain motions, like reaching up
- Loose-feeling shoulder joint
While the shoulder dislocation itself isn't necessarily painful, the injury behind it, for example, a labral tear, can be quite painful. It can also be rather scary to feel like your shoulder is unreliable.
What is the treatment for shoulder instability?
Dr. Cooper evaluates your shoulder instability and then makes treatment recommendations based upon the particular injury, your recovery goals, and your personal preferences.
In most cases, non-operative treatments are the first-line approach. This usually includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modifications, and injections.
If your shoulder instability and the underlying injury don't improve with conservative treatments, Dr. Cooper may recommend surgery. In most cases, he treats shoulder instability and its connected injuries using minimally invasive arthroscopy. This approach uses tiny openings in the skin rather than long incisions.
You'll wear a shoulder sling after surgery, which helps to stabilize the joint as your shoulder heals. Dr. Cooper recommends physical therapy to safely improve your shoulder strength. Physical therapy also helps you to return to healthy flexibility without putting your joint at risk again.
Shoulder instability need not hold you back from all of the activities you enjoy. To get help from an esteemed orthopedic surgeon who customizes your care for your personal needs, call Joe Cooper, MD, or click on the provided appointment link now.
