Shoulder instability

Shoulder instability means the shoulder joint feels loose, slips, or fully dislocates — often after an injury, but sometimes in people with naturally mobile joints. It can cause pain, apprehension, and a sense that the shoulder might give way, especially in certain positions.

Physiotherapy is central to management, using targeted strengthening and control exercises to stabilise the shoulder and restore confidence, whether you're managing it conservatively or recovering after surgery. In this guide we cover assessment and evidence-based rehabilitation for shoulder instability — practical clinical guidance for practitioners and clear, staged explanations for patients working back to full activity.