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  • Instability
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
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Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
About Us
Conditions We Treat
Achilles Tendonitis
ACL Injuries
AC Joint Injury (Shoulder Separation)
Ankle Sprain
Avascular Necrosis
Bicep Tendonitis
Bone Cancer
Bone Cysts
Bone Spurs
Bone Tumor
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Bulging Discs
Bunions
Burners & Stingers
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chondrosarcoma
Chordoma
Chronic Tendon Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Colles Fracture
Concussion
Contractures
Degenerative Joint Disease
Diabetic Foot Disease
Dislocations
Dupuytren's Contracture
Elbow Sprain
Ewings Sarcoma
Femoroacetabular Impingement
Finger Injuries
Flat Feet
Foot Pain
Foot Ulcer
Fractures & Breaks
Frozen Shoulder
Giant Cell Tumor
Golfers Elbow
Hammer Toes
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Pointer
Instability
IT Band Syndrome
Jones Fracture
Labral Tear
Lisfranc Injury
Low Back Pain
Lower Body Pain
Malunion & Nonunion
MCL & LCL Injuries
Meniscus Tear
Metastatic Bone Disease
Morton's Neuroma
Neck Pain
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Nerve Compression
Numbness & Weakness
Osgood Schlatter
Osteosarcoma
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellofemoral Pain
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
Plantar Fasciitis
PVNS
Rotator Cuff Tears
Scaphoid (Wrist) Fracture
Severs Disease
Shin Splints
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Pain
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Sports Hernia
Sprains & Strains
Tendon & Ligament Injuries
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Trochanteric Bursitis
Turf Toe
Upper Body Pain
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Joint Instability

Struggling with loose joints and recurrent pain? Joint instability happens when the tissues supporting a joint, such as muscles, ligaments, and bones, weaken and can no longer keep the bones properly aligned. Find out about joint instability, its impact on your body, and the latest options available for recovery.

Looking for Joint Instability Care?

Related services include:

  • Orthopaedics.
  • Sports Medicine.
  • Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy.

Find a Provider

On this page

  • What Causes Joint Instability?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Joint Instability?
  • How Do You Diagnose Joint Instability?
  • How Do You Treat Joint Instability?

What Is Joint Instability?

Instability happens when tissues — such as muscles, ligaments, and bones — weaken. Once they are weak, they no longer hold the bones of the joint in proper place.

Joints are flexible, allowing for movement. However, they also must be stable and strong.

Strong ligaments hold the bones of joints in place while the joints are in motion and at rest. Muscles and tendons hold the bones of the joints in place most often when moving.

Types of joint instability

Common cases of joint instability occur in the:

  • Ankle
  • Big toe
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Neck
  • Shoulder
  • Thumb

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What Causes Instability?

Risk factors that may cause joint instability include:

  • Injury — such as a fall — can cause a dislocation of a joint or stretch or tear the ligaments.
  • Overuse or repeating a movement over time can cause instability. Swimming, for example, can lead to shoulder instability.
  • Multidirectional instability — known as being “double jointed” — happens to some people who are born with looser joints than most others.

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What Are the Symptoms of Joint Instability?

Instability symptoms depend on which joint it affects.

Symptoms can include:

  • Pain, especially after injury
  • Repeated dislocation of the joint
  • Tenderness
  • A feeling that the joint “gives out”

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How Is Joint Instability Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. He or she will move the joint to test the strength and looseness of the tissues surrounding the joint.

You may also need imaging tests, such as:

  • X-rays, for images of the bones of the affected joint
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which allows your doctor to see the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons

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What Are the Treatment Options for Joint Instability?

The treatment of instability depends on the location of the joint.

Treatment options range from conservative to more aggressive.

Nonsurgical joint instability treatment

Conservative treatments include:

  • Rest
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Using a splint or brace on the affected joint

Joint instability surgery options

If conservative treatments do not help your joint instability, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair the ligaments so the joint regains stability.

Instability surgeries can be minimally invasive or open.

  • In a minimally invasive procedure, your UPMC orthopaedic surgeon inserts surgical instruments and a small camera through tiny incisions.
  • In open surgery, your surgeon will make a larger incision. This permits him or her to directly see the body structures in question.

After instability surgery, you may need to keep the affected joint still.

A period of rehab can follow to help recover strength and range of motion.

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