Not Dead Yet: Shoulder Instability Or “Dead Arm Syndrome”

The repetitive motion of over-arm throwing that baseball pitchers consistently endure can put a significant amount of strain on an athlete’s shoulder. Because the shoulder joints are relatively “loose” to begin with, it’s not hard to overuse or injure them.

What Is Dead Arm Syndrome?

Often, shoulder instability can lead to lessened ability to use the arm, weakness or temporary numbness known as “dead arm.” The sufferer may feel as though his or her arm is hanging from the body as deadweight. Although, this is usually a momentary sensation that quickly passes, it is a key symptom of shoulder instability. Other symptoms include:

• Painful clicking or popping in the shoulder

• Pain with specific activities, such as throwing a ball

• Numbness or tingling may be felt radiating from the shoulder into the hand

While certain types of activities (baseball, tennis, swimming) can cause instability in the shoulder, some patients may simply develop this condition due to natural “loose jointedness” in their shoulder. In these patients, some type of activity may aggravate the shoulder and lead to the onset of pain and dysfunction.

Treating Shoulder Instability

The hallmark of treatment for this condition is rehabilitation. Focused exercises, supervised by a physical therapist, and then conducted mostly at home can help strengthen the shoulder muscles and alleviate symptoms.  Rarely, patients require surgery to overcome this condition. Surgery involves tightening the ligaments around the shoulder to regain normal function.

Call orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Matthew T. Boes today and schedule an appointment.

3,793 comments on “Not Dead Yet: Shoulder Instability Or “Dead Arm Syndrome””

1. Adrian Courchene says:

   August 24, 2016 at 6:20 pm

   Aw, it was an extremely very good post. In thought I would like to set up writing related to this moreover – taking time and actual effort to create a really good article… but exactly what do I say… I procrastinate alot and also no means manage to go done.

2. Hae Timbs says:

   August 26, 2016 at 10:42 am

   Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

3. apartamenty Wroclaw says:

   August 28, 2016 at 10:56 pm

   I have tyidosnns observed that over the course of creating a relationship with real estate managers, you’ll be able to get them to understand that, in every real estate deal, a commission rate is paid. All things considered, FSBO sellers really don’t “save” the commission rate. Rather, they fight to earn the commission simply by doing an agent’s occupation. In completing this task, they devote their money as well as time to execute, as best they are able to, the responsibilities of an broker. Those jobs include uncovering the home by way of marketing, introducing the home to willing buyers, creating a sense of buyer desperation in order to make prompt an offer, arranging home inspections, dealing with qualification checks with the loan company, supervising fixes, and facilitating the closing.

4. Robbie Goolia says:

   August 29, 2016 at 6:08 pm

   Real informative and great anatomical structure of subject material , now that’s user pleasant (:.

5. Lowell Decaire says:

   August 31, 2016 at 7:51 am

   Numerous thanks for spending some time to write about this, I actually feel clearly about it and I really like to researching far a lot more about this concern. Whenever possible, would you mind updating your weblog with a good deal far more info? It is extremely beneficial for me.

6. Cruz Imaizumi says:

   August 31, 2016 at 9:54 am

   I am not rattling great with English but I get hold this really leisurely to interpret .