If the shoulder is dislocated, it is usually very apparent:
The shoulder is quite painful.
Motion is severely restricted.d
The shoulder appears to hang down and
forward, with a large dimple evident under the acromion
(in the area of the collar bone).
The humeral head may be visible as
a bump on the front of the shoulder, or in the armpit.
To return the dislocated arm to its socket
(called a reduction) usually requires a visit
to the emergency department, where expert assistance can be
found. Some individuals with recurrent dislocations eventually
become experienced at reducing the arm themselves.
What are the signs and symptoms of Micro-instability?
The shoulder is usually only painful when it is being used, especially when throwing.
There may be a feeling of "popping" or the shoulder coming partially out of the socket.
There may also be some rotator cuff pain (impingement pain) but this is usually only secondary to the underlying instability.
Loss of motion is not usually apparent, but there may be some subtle losses in internal rotation (link to GIRD) or increases in external rotation.
