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Glenohumeral Dislocation & Subluxation: Recovery & Rehab Guide

A glenohumeral dislocation or subluxation can be a traumatic and debilitating injury—especially if it becomes recurrent. If you’ve experienced a dislocated or partially dislocated shoulder, proper rehabilitation is essential to restore full function and reduce your risk of future episodes.

At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, we specialise in evidence-based shoulder rehabilitation, helping clients recover from shoulder instability through manual therapy, strength and control exercises, and individualised return-to-activity programs.

What Is a Glenohumeral Dislocation or Subluxation?

The glenohumeral joint—your shoulder joint—is where the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) sits in the shallow socket of the scapula (shoulder blade) called the glenoid. Due to its anatomy, the shoulder has great mobility but less stability, making it vulnerable to dislocations and subluxations.

🔹 Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the humeral head completely pops out of the glenoid socket. Most commonly, this happens in an anterior direction (forward) due to trauma, such as a fall, tackle, or sudden forceful movement.

🔹 Subluxation

A subluxation is a partial dislocation where the humeral head slips out of place momentarily but relocates spontaneously. Subluxations often happen with overhead sports, repetitive strain, or ligamentous laxity.

Common Causes of Glenohumeral Instability

Clients at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon often present with instability due to:

  • Trauma: Falls, tackles, or direct shoulder impact

  • Overhead sports: Swimming, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting

  • Hypermobility syndromes: e.g. Ehlers-Danlos

  • Poor scapular control or rotator cuff weakness

  • Previous dislocations not adequately rehabilitated

Symptoms of a Dislocated or Subluxed Shoulder

If you’ve had a shoulder dislocation or repeated subluxation episodes, you may experience:

  • Intense pain and deformity (with full dislocation)

  • Loss of function or fear of movement

  • Apprehension with overhead or throwing motions

  • Shoulder instability or “looseness”

  • Muscle weakness, especially in the rotator cuff

  • Swelling, bruising, or nerve symptoms (if severe)

If you’ve recently dislocated your shoulder, it’s vital to seek assessment and begin physiotherapy in Booragoon to avoid chronic instability or re-injury.

Diagnosis at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage

Our shoulder rehab specialists will conduct a thorough assessment including:

  • Apprehension and relocation tests

  • Range of motion and strength testing

  • Scapular control and movement analysis

  • Joint position sense and neuromuscular control tests

  • History of instability episodes

Imaging (X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound) may be needed if it’s your first dislocation or there’s suspected labral tears, bone damage, or rotator cuff injuries.

Treatment Approach for Shoulder Dislocation/Subluxation

At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, we follow a stage-based, evidence-informed rehabilitation process tailored to your injury severity, goals, and activity demands.

Initial Phase – Protect and Stabilise

Goals:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation

  • Protect damaged structures

  • Begin neuromuscular re-education

What we do:

  • Immobilisation (brief, if required) for 1–3 weeks using a sling

  • Pain-free range of motion exercises

  • Isometric muscle activation (rotator cuff, deltoid, scapular stabilisers)

  • Postural correction and trunk engagement drills

  • Education on movement restrictions and avoiding risky positions

Manual Therapy – Is It Recommended?

Manual therapy is used cautiously and only after acute inflammation has settled. At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, we may incorporate:

  • Scapular mobilisation to restore shoulder blade rhythm

  • Thoracic spine and rib mobilisation to enhance posture and shoulder mechanics

  • Soft tissue release for overactive compensating muscles (e.g. upper traps, pec minor)

  • Proprioceptive input to enhance neuromuscular control

We avoid any manual techniques that stress the anterior capsule or replicate the dislocation mechanism.

Exercise Rehabilitation – Restoring Strength & Stability

This is the cornerstone of shoulder recovery. Our Adaptive Physiotherapists in Booragoon design structured programs including:

Phase 1: Controlled Mobility & Muscle Activation
  • Pendulum swings

  • Scapular setting

  • Isometric rotator cuff contractions

  • Active-assisted shoulder elevation

Phase 2: Strength & Endurance
  • Theraband external and internal rotation

  • Sidelying and prone rotator cuff strengthening

  • Closed-chain stability drills (e.g. wall push-ups)

  • Scapular retraction and serratus anterior activation

Phase 3: Neuromuscular Control & Proprioception
  • Ball-on-wall drills

  • Rhythmic stabilisation exercises

  • Unstable surface training

  • Controlled perturbations

Phase 4: Return to Function and Sport
  • Overhead pressing progressions

  • Medicine ball and plyometric drills

  • Change of direction and deceleration training (for athletes)

  • Position-specific or job-specific conditioning

All exercises are progressed based on function, not time, to avoid flare-ups or re-injury.

Stretching and Mobility

While aggressive stretching is avoided early, we address mobility in the surrounding structures as recovery progresses:

  • Thoracic mobility drills

  • Pectoral stretches

  • Posterior capsule release (if tight)

  • Latissimus dorsi mobility

Mobility work is tailored to individual deficits and integrated with strength work for balanced control.

Preventing Future Dislocations or Subluxations

At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, our goal is not just recovery—but resilience.

Our prevention strategies include:
  • Ongoing rotator cuff and scapular strength maintenance

  • Neuromuscular control and proprioceptive drills

  • Technique coaching for sport and gym activities

  • Education on safe return-to-play timelines

  • Collaboration with coaches or GPs as needed

Why Choose Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon?

  • 🏋️‍♂️ Specialists in shoulder rehab and sports physiotherapy

  • ✅ Evidence-based, one-on-one physiotherapy care

  • 💡 Focus on both short-term relief and long-term injury prevention

  • 🧠 Thorough education and empowerment at every step

  • 📍 Located conveniently in Booragoon, Perth

If you’ve suffered a shoulder dislocation or feel like your shoulder is unstable, early intervention is key. Book your appointment with an Adaptive Physiotherapist in Booragoon and start your rehab the right way.

Ready to Begin Your Recovery?

Shoulder instability doesn’t resolve on its own—and the risk of recurrence increases after each episode. Contact Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon to book your assessment and get a structured plan toward strength, control, and confidence.

References

  • Olds, M., et al. (2015). “Risk factors for primary and recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(14), 913–922.

  • Warby, S. A., et al. (2016). “Physical therapy intervention following shoulder dislocation.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 46(7), 558–578.

  • Møller, M., et al. (2012). “Rehabilitation following first-time traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder: A systematic review.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(9), 717–722.

  • Hayes, K., et al. (2002). “Shoulder instability: Management and rehabilitation.” Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 400, 54–64.

  • Wilk, K. E., et al. (2009). “Rehabilitation of the overhead throwing athlete: There is more to it than just external rotation/internal rotation strengthening.” PM&R, 1(4), 301–308.

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