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Shoulder Dislocation & Instability
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Shoulder Dislocation — Reducing Your Risk of It Happening Again

The shoulder is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body — and the most frequently re-injured. The quality of rehabilitation after a first dislocation is the most important factor in preventing recurrence.

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Shoulder Dislocation & Instability

Shoulder Dislocation — Reducing Your Risk of It Happening Again

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) is forced out of the glenoid socket — almost always anteriorly (forwards). The first dislocation typically occurs as a result of a traumatic event: a fall, a tackle, or a forced external rotation of the arm. It requires urgent reduction (putting the joint back in) followed by a period of immobilisation.

What happens after the first dislocation matters enormously. In patients under 25, the recurrence rate without adequate rehabilitation exceeds 70% — making structured physiotherapy after a first dislocation one of the highest-value interventions in sports medicine. The ligaments, labrum, and rotator cuff muscles all require progressive rehabilitation to restore the dynamic stability the shoulder needs to resist future dislocations.

🛡️
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.
Shoulder Dislocation & Instability
Shoulder Dislocation & Instability
🛡️
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.

Symptoms

Common signs

History of the shoulder "popping out" or requiring reduction in hospital
Apprehension with the arm in certain positions (particularly overhead or externally rotated)
A feeling of the shoulder being "loose" or "about to go"
Weakness with shoulder movements after dislocation
Pain at the front of the shoulder
Recurring subluxations (partial dislocations)
Avoidance of overhead sport or activities
Reduced confidence in the shoulder during activity

Causes

Contributing factors

Traumatic first dislocation (fall, tackle, forced external rotation)
Generalised joint hypermobility
Labral damage (Bankart lesion) from initial dislocation
Hill-Sachs lesion (bone defect in the humeral head)
Rotator cuff weakness and poor dynamic stabilisation
Premature return to sport after first dislocation

Our Approach

The Move Process

01
Post-Reduction Assessment
Thorough assessment of the shoulder following reduction — identifying associated injuries (labral tears, Hill-Sachs lesions, rotator cuff damage) with referral for imaging when indicated.
02
Early Phase Rehabilitation
Pain management, restoration of range of motion, and early rotator cuff activation — protecting the healing structures while maintaining as much function as possible.
03
Dynamic Stabilisation Training
Progressive rotator cuff, scapular, and periscapular strengthening to restore the dynamic stability that protects the shoulder from re-dislocation.
04
Return to Sport
Sport-specific rehabilitation with apprehension testing, confidence assessment, and position-specific loading — criteria-based clearance before return to contact or overhead sport.

Why Move Physiotherapy

What sets us apart

✦
Evidence-Based Recurrence Prevention
The evidence is clear: structured rehabilitation after a first dislocation substantially reduces recurrence risk. We follow protocols designed to restore the dynamic stability the shoulder needs — not just range of motion.
✦
Surgical Pathway Assessment
For patients with significant structural damage (large Bankart lesions, significant Hill-Sachs lesions, multiple recurrences), surgical stabilisation may be the appropriate pathway. We assess surgical candidacy and coordinate referral when indicated.
✦
Post-Stabilisation Rehab
If you have undergone a Latarjet procedure or arthroscopic Bankart repair, we manage the full post-surgical rehabilitation pathway — from early protection through return to contact sport.
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Return-to-Sport Criteria
We assess psychological readiness alongside physical criteria — fear of re-dislocation is a major barrier to return to sport and must be formally addressed.
✦
Young Athlete Focus
Recurrence rates are highest in young athletes. Our rehabilitation protocols are specifically designed for the demands of contact sport return in this population.
✦
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need surgery after a shoulder dislocation?+
Not always, but the decision depends on several factors. For a first dislocation in an older, less active patient, structured physiotherapy is typically the first-line treatment. For a first dislocation in a young contact sport athlete — particularly where imaging shows a significant Bankart lesion (tear of the anterior labrum) — surgical stabilisation is frequently recommended because the risk of recurrence with conservative management alone is very high (exceeding 70% in patients under 25). For patients with recurrent dislocations that have failed conservative management, surgery is generally indicated.
How long does shoulder dislocation rehabilitation take?+
Conservative rehabilitation typically spans 3-6 months from the initial injury to return to contact sport. The first 4-6 weeks focus on immobilisation and early range of motion, weeks 6-12 on progressive strengthening, and months 3-6 on sport-specific and contact preparation. Post-surgical rehabilitation (following Bankart repair or Latarjet) is typically 5-6 months to return to contact sport, with the repair protected for the first 6 weeks.
What is a Bankart lesion?+
A Bankart lesion is a tear of the anterior-inferior labrum — the cartilage rim that deepens the shoulder socket and anchors the inferior glenohumeral ligament, the primary restraint to anterior dislocation. Bankart lesions occur in the vast majority of traumatic anterior dislocations. In younger patients, the presence of a significant Bankart lesion substantially increases recurrence risk and is one of the key indications for surgical stabilisation.
Can I return to footy (AFL) or rugby after a shoulder dislocation?+
Yes, but timing and rehabilitation quality matter enormously. Criteria-based return to contact sport should include full shoulder strength (symmetrical to the uninjured side), full range of motion, absence of apprehension in sport-specific positions, and psychological readiness. Return before these criteria are met — particularly before adequate rotator cuff strength is restored — significantly increases re-dislocation risk. Your physiotherapist will guide you through a sport-specific return program and confirm readiness with objective testing before you return to full contact.

Ready to get moving?

Beeliar, Booragoon and East Fremantle -- early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available.

Book OnlineCall 08 6113 8062