Ultrasound Assesment of Shoulder Instability

Ultrasound Assessments for Shoulder Instability

Do you have Shoulder Instability?

See it under ultrasound!

This trial is comparing stable and unstable shoulders and the effect of taping and our shoulder rehabilitation program on humeral head translation using real-time ultrasound.

The shoulder is a ‘ball-and-socket’ joint and it works best when the ball (the humeral head) stays near the centre of the socket (the glenoid). Instability is where the ball slides to close too the edge of the socket and in some cases over the edge resulting in dislocation.

It’s one thing to diagnose ‘shoulder instability’ but not all shoulder instabilities are the same. We need to consider how the issue came about, the direction, the severity and not to mention that each shoulder is as unique as a thumbprint!

For decades we have tried to accurately measure the position and movement of the ball within the socket and as technology has advanced, so too has our ability to measure things like shoulder instability. We are excited about our ultrasound study which aims to do just that! This may prove to be a valuable tool that enhances our clinical understanding and management of shoulder issues such as instability.

To qualify for this trial participants must be:

• are aged 18-35 years (inclusive)

• have symptoms of instability such as clicking, clunking, a feeling of loosesness/instability in the

  shoulder, pain, or weakness, reduced shoulder motion

• experience symptoms when your arm is dragged downwards (e.g. carrying groceries)

• demonstrate significant reduction of symptoms with assisted correction of the shoulder-blade.