A Case of Exercise Therapy for Habitual Shoulder Dislocation with Posterior Instability

Abstract

Objective: We report the results of exercise therapy in a patient with habitual shoulder dislocation and posterior instability.

Case: The patient was a woman in her 10s diagnosed with habitual shoulder dislocation, who complained of shoulder pain and dislocation sensation during daily life and kendo activities. We performed exercise therapy and activities of daily living guidance for 8 weeks. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using shoulder pain, dislocation sensation, shoulder 36, Rowe score, and Pain Catastrophizing scale. The temporal changes in shoulder joint dynamics were assessed by confirming the posterior translation of the humeral head using ultrasonography. After 8 weeks of intervention, the patient's daily shoulder pain and dislocation sensation disappeared. Analysis of the temporal changes in shoulder joint dynamics revealed a reduction in posterior humeral head translation 8 weeks after intervention compared with the initial assessment findings. In addition, the patient was able to return to kendo with improvement in shoulder function.

Conclusion: The findings of this case report demonstrated the effectiveness of exercise therapy in habitual shoulder dislocation.