I have a question about my shoulders.?

Question

I've always been double-jointed in that I can slide my arms out of my shoulder sockets a few inches. It doesn't hurt, and I try not to do it a lot. It's like my sockets are too big, or my rotator cuffs aren't strong enough, and I can just slightly lower the arm out a bit (though it's connected with ligament et al).

Anyway, I play basketball a lot, and twice in the past month my left arm slid out without me doing it on purpose. It just popped in and out naturally when I reached for something. Obviously, it hurts when I don't expect it because I then move my arm around while it's out of joint. That sucks.

How in the world can I make this stop? I'm afraid it'll pop out with ease if I continue exercising. I can't forsee how surgery would help with something this peculiar. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I would certainly contact your doctor or orthopedic surgeon.  The in and out slide you are talking about is called subluxation and can damage the labrum, the small cartilage ring that helps keep the shoulder in place.  The doc should order an MRI or Contrast MRI to determine if there is damage to the shoulder.  Untreated it will gradually get worse and worse.  Might as well get it looked at now and if it is damaged maybe they can do it with a scope and not have to give you a 5 inch incision like mine.