Can exercises help shoulder dislocation, subluxation, and instability?
The stability of the shoulder joint is dependent upon a balance of several factors, including: • the fit or conformity of the humeral head (“ball”) to the glenoid (“socket”) • the integrity of the lip of tissue around the glenoid socket (also called the labrum) • the integrity of the ligaments within the shoulder capsule that act as “check reigns” to motion (termed the glenohumeral ligaments) • a “vacuum effect” of the head in the glenoid socket • the stabilizing effect of the rotator cuff muscles around the shoulder joint Of all these factors, the one that can be addressed most easily is the strength and function of the rotator cuff muscles. Frequently, the extra laxity of the shoulder joint capsule can be overcome by strengthening the muscles around the joint that are used to stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid socket. These muscles can be strengthened effectively with a supervised and home physical therapy program designed to selectively balance and strengthen the four muscles
