As an orthopaedic surgeon with Aurora Advanced Orthopaedics, Dr. Mark Wichman draws on particular expertise in surgical shoulder stabilization. Dr. Mark Wichman stands out as the author of a chapter in the textbook Management of the Unstable Shoulder and for his teaching of techniques for shoulder stabilization.

1. CAUSES OF CHRONIC
SHOULDER
INSTABILITY
Dr. Mark Wichman

2. Introduction
 As an orthopaedic surgeon with Aurora Advanced Orthopaedics, Dr.
Mark Wichman draws on particular expertise in surgical shoulder
stabilization. Dr. Mark Wichman stands out as the author of a
chapter in the textbook Management of the Unstable Shoulder and
for his teaching of techniques for shoulder stabilization.
In a healthy shoulder, the upper ball of the humerus rotates in a
shallow socket known as the glenoid. A strong ligament system
keeps the humerus contained within this socket, while tendons and
muscles provide additional stabilization.
Occasionally, however, injury to or disease of the connective tissue
can cause the shoulder to slip out of position. If this occurs on more
than one or two occasions, it may mean that the ligaments are no
longer able to hold the shoulder in place reliably. This condition is
known as chronic shoulder instability.

3. Shoulder Instability
 Certain individuals develop chronic shoulder instability following a
traumatic dislocation, in which the head of the humerus comes
completely out of the glenoid socket. If the resultant ligament tear
does not heal well enough and tightly, the shoulder may slip out of
position more easily.
Some patients develop overly loose ligaments not as a result of
dislocation but as a side effect of repetitive use. This process is
particularly common in swimmers, volleyball players, and other
athletes who engage in frequent overhead arm motion. Others have
congenitally loose ligaments, which can cause the shoulder to
dislocate easily in one or more directions.
Through physical examination and imaging, a physician can assess
whether a patient is facing chronic shoulder instability. If so, the
condition may be treatable using either nonsurgical or surgical
interventions.