Understand your injury.
A shoulder that slips, dislocates, or feels unreliable may need an instability evaluation. A shoulder that is currently out of place is an emergency injury.
What your evaluation considers
How the injury happened, prior episodes, shoulder stability, and possible labral or bone injury.
Discuss the treatment options.
- Rehabilitation can help improve control and strength.
- Labral repair or another stabilization procedure may be discussed based on the injury and recurrence risk.
- Sport, bone loss, and previous surgery can change the treatment plan.
Tell us about your sport, the activities you want to return to, and any previous treatment. An exam and relevant imaging help guide an individualized plan. This page cannot diagnose an injury or determine whether surgery is right for you.
Prepare for your visit.
Bring prior imaging and reports, a medication list, your insurance information, and any required referral. For a second opinion, bring relevant visit notes and operative reports.
For athletes under 18, a parent or legal guardian should help arrange care and confirm consent requirements with the office.
A joint that looks out of place, a new cold or numb limb after injury, or a hot swollen joint with fever or feeling unwell needs immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for a routine online appointment.
Educational reference: AAOS OrthoInfo (opens new tab).