Shoulder instability means the shoulder feels loose, slips or fully dislocates, often after a first dislocation or in a naturally mobile joint. It is very treatable. A structured program that rebuilds control, strength and confidence is the foundation of recovery, and for many people it reduces the risk of future dislocations without the need for surgery. At our Melbourne CBD clinic we build a clear, criteria based plan to get you back to sport and daily life with a shoulder you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shoulder instability describes a shoulder that moves beyond its normal limits, from a feeling of apprehension or the joint slipping, known as a subluxation, through to a full dislocation. It can follow a traumatic dislocation, where the stabilising structures are injured, or occur in a naturally mobile shoulder where the muscles and control have not kept pace with the joint range. Instability can be anterior, posterior or multidirectional, and getting the direction and cause right is the key to effective treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
We begin with a comprehensive subjective and objective physical assessment, drawing on our expertise in shoulder injuries to firstly correctly diagnose the direction and cause of your instability. We then utilise our state of the art facility, encompassing Keiser pneumatic equipment, Kineo intelligent load machines and VALD technology, to measure your strength and control and to guide exactly how we manage and treat the condition. Our approach works from the shoulder blade outwards, building scapular control before progressively loading the rotator cuff and the whole shoulder, and finishing with objective return to sport testing. Where instability is recurrent or structural damage means surgery is the better option, we assess your readiness objectively and work alongside your surgeon. Shoulder stabilisation procedures are performed by experienced orthopaedic upper limb surgeons such as Mr Simon Lau.
Your shoulder instability rehabilitation is led by a physiotherapist with particular expertise in this area:
Jake is experienced in shoulder and upper limb injuries across both everyday patients and elite sport. His rehabilitation is grounded in current evidence and objective strength testing.
Our team look forward to working with you to help achieve your goals
It depends on the cause, the direction of instability and your goals. We use objective strength and control testing on our Keiser, Kineo and VALD equipment to guide a safe and confident return to sport, rather than relying on time alone.
Often, yes. Many shoulders respond very well to a targeted program that builds scapular control, rotator cuff strength and overall shoulder control. Where instability is recurrent or structural damage means surgery is the better option, we work closely with your surgeon and lead your rehabilitation before and after the procedure.
It depends on the cause, the direction of instability and your goals. We use objective strength and control testing on our Keiser, Kineo and VALD equipment to guide a safe and confident return to sport, rather than relying on time alone.
No referral is required. You can book directly online or by calling our Melbourne CBD clinic. If you have a referral from a GP or surgeon, bring it along and we will work alongside them.
If you are searching for shoulder instability treatment in Melbourne, our Queen Street clinic provides experienced, evidence based physiotherapy led by Jake Smith, combining expert assessment with Keiser, Kineo and VALD technology to restore control, strength and confidence and return you to sport.
