Multidirectional Instability Treatment in Chillicothe, OH
What is Shoulder (Multidirectional) Instability?
Your shoulder joint has a wide range of motion which is possible because of the ball and socket design of the shoulder joint. Your upper arm bone (humerus) has a top shaped like a ball. This ball fits into a socket in your shoulder blade called the glenoid. The relationship between the ball and socket joint enables much of your shoulder’s range of motion.
Multidirectional instability is a looseness of the main joint of the shoulder which enables the ball to move too far in more than one direction (forward, back, down). Instability implies that the shoulder joint is not functioning properly. Multidirectional instability has multiple etiologies and can occur after a traumatic injury or as the result of an atraumatic issue.
Multidirectional Instability Causes
Multidirectional instability can have many causes, including the following:
- A serious injury
- Being double-jointed
- Repetitive overhead motions from work or athletics
- Repeated shoulder injuries
- A shoulder dislocation or fracture
If multidirectional instability is related to a sudden injury, it is referred to as having a traumatic onset. If it is not related to sudden injury, it is considered to have an “atraumatic onset.”
Shoulder Instability Symptoms
Multidirectional instability symptoms can include the following:
- A feeling that the shoulder has slipped out of place
- Pain performing normal tasks such as overhead motions, carrying heavy objects and opening heavy doors
- Shoulder weakness
- A grinding or cracking sound in the joint
- Difficulty using the shoulder or arm
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
If you are experiencing any of the above multidirectional instability symptoms, you should contact Dr. Cohen’s office and schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Dr. Cohen?
OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
One of the first orthopedic surgeons employed by a large hospital. Dr. Cohen spent 20 years.
TRUSTED BY OVER 100,000+ PATIENTS WORLDWIDE
Over his distinguished career, Dr. Cohen has cultivated a reputation of excellence and trust among his patients and his peers.
UTILIZING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
To achieve the best surgical outcomes, Dr. Cohen utilizes the most advanced technologies and techniques, keeping his practice state of the art.
PATIENT SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY
An individualized, patient-focused process coupled with decades of training and experience help ensure maximum safety for all of Dr. Cohen’s patients.
Multidirectional Instability Diagnosis
To identify if you suffer from multidirectional shoulder instability, Dr. Cohen or one of his sports medicine colleagues will obtain a complete “history of present illness” from you and conduct a focused, comprehensive physical exam to evaluate your shoulder for areas of tenderness, assess range of motion and establish if you have normal or decreased arm strength. Depending on the findings they may order an X-ray and/or an MRI.
Multidirectional Instability Treatment Options
Treatment options for multidirectional shoulder instability depends on each patient’s unique circumstances. Dr. Cohen will tailor the treatment to meet your specific needs, which he will explain in detail, and answer any of your questions.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Shoulder stability comes not only from the labrum or gasket which surrounds the glenoid socket, but by the muscles that cross the shoulder joint as well. In the absence of a well-defined traumatic cause with a labral tear, initial treatment for multidirectional instability includes a program with exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles around the shoulder. This may be done with a physician-directed home exercise program, or with a licensed physical therapist.
Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
Surgical treatment for multidirectional instability depends upon your health and the severity of your instability. You may choose surgery to make the joint capsule smaller and reduce shoulder movement. Reverse total shoulder replacement surgery may be an option if you are elderly, have shoulder degeneration and multidirectional instability that results in debilitating shoulder problems.
After surgery, your postoperative treatment plan will be tailored to your specific surgical repair.
Schedule Your Shoulder Consultation
If you would like to learn more about your multidirectional instability treatment options, schedule a personal consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen by calling or emailing his office today. Dr. Cohen has more than 20 years of experience and offers a customized approach to your orthopedic care.
