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Get your shoulder stable, strong and trusted again

Your shoulder has come out of its socket, and even now it has been put back, it feels loose, weak and not quite yours. Structured physiotherapy can rebuild the strength and control that hold the joint in place.

Medicare, NDIS, DVA and private health funds accepted.

A shoulder dislocation happens when the ball of your upper arm bone is forced fully out of its socket. Getting it back in is only the first step. The ligaments, cartilage and muscles that keep it there are usually stretched or torn in the process.

Physiotherapy after a dislocation restores movement, rebuilds the muscles that stabilise the joint and retrains your control of the arm, so you can lift, reach and play without the shoulder giving way.

Who does it affect?

most common in young people playing contact sport, and in adults over 60 after a fall.

How common is it?

the shoulder is the most frequently dislocated joint in the body.

What is the recovery like?

varies with your age, the damage done and your goals, and is guided by strength and control rather than the calendar.

Who should I see for treatment?

your physiotherapist, working alongside your GP, emergency department or orthopaedic surgeon where needed.

What funding options are available?

Medicare, NDIS, DVA and private health funds accepted.

What is a shoulder dislocation?

The shoulder sits in a shallow socket, which is why it moves further than any other joint in your body. That same freedom makes it the easiest joint to push out of place. A dislocation means the ball has come completely out of the socket. A partial slip that pops back by itself is called a subluxation.

Most dislocations are anterior, where the ball is forced forward and down by a fall onto an outstretched arm or a tackle with the arm out to the side. As the ball moves, it can stretch or tear the labrum, the rim of cartilage around the socket, along with the ligaments and joint capsule. Once those structures are damaged, the shoulder can feel unstable long after the pain has gone.

What raises your risk:

  • Contact and collision sport, especially rugby, AFL and basketball

  • A previous dislocation on the same side

  • Naturally loose or hypermobile joints

  • Weakness through the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles

If your shoulder has never come out of the socket but hurts with overhead work, your physiotherapist also assesses rotator cuff injuries [CONFIRM: link when live].

Symptoms of Shoulder dislocation

At the moment of injury, you may notice:

Sudden, severe pain and a sense that the shoulder has moved out of place

A squared-off or deformed look to the shoulder, with a visible bulge at the front

An inability to move the arm, which you tend to hold across your body

Numbness or pins and needles down the arm or over the outer shoulder

Pain often settles well before stability returns, which is why symptoms can look mild while the joint is still vulnerable.

Your assessment sets the plan: how the shoulder came out, what was damaged, how much strength and control you have now, and what you need to get back to.

Early protection and pain management

Short-term sling use, positioning and hands-on techniques settle pain while the injured tissue begins to heal.

Range of movement work

Graded movement in safe directions restores motion without stressing the structures at the front of the joint.

Rotator cuff strengthening

These deep muscles pull the ball into the socket. Loading them progressively gives the joint active stability.

Shoulder blade control

The socket sits on your shoulder blade, so training the muscles that position it gives the ball a stable base to work from.

Proprioception retraining

A dislocation disrupts your sense of where the arm is in space. Balance, catching and closed-chain drills rebuild it.

Return to sport or work loading

Speed, contact and overhead demands are added in stages, matched to the tasks you need to handle.

What to expect at your first appointment

Tell us what is going on

How the shoulder came out, whether it was relocated in hospital, how many times it has happened and what you are avoiding now.

A full assessment

Your physiotherapist checks movement, strength, nerve function, shoulder blade control and how stable the joint feels in different positions.

A clear plan

You leave knowing what was injured, what to do this week, what to avoid and how progress will be measured.

Review and adjust

Loads and drills step up as your strength and control improve, with clear markers before you return to contact or overhead work.

When to book an appointment

Book an assessment if:

  • Your shoulder was relocated in hospital and you have no rehabilitation plan

  • The shoulder has dislocated or subluxed more than once

  • Two weeks of rest has not restored your confidence lifting or reaching

  • You are unsure whether the joint is stable enough to return to sport

Looking after your lower back at home

These strategies suit most people with recent, uncomplicated back pain, and work alongside treatment rather than replacing it.

  • Contact and collision sport, especially rugby, AFL and basketball

  • A previous dislocation on the same side

  • Naturally loose or hypermobile joints

  • Weakness through the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles

Meet the team who treat this

Behind every appointment is a team of practitioners who know each other, trust each other and work together for you. Across seven clinics and nine disciplines, our team shares expertise, coordinates treatment plans and celebrates your progress together.

Meet the full team

Abijith Anand

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Aimee Fuller

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Alicia Whiticker

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amanda Banks

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amanda Duggan

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amy Meekings

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Anita Beerapu

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Benjamin Tucker

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Blake Ciscato

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Blake Cossor

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Bronte Tupper

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Callum Thorpe

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Carin Bloom

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Charli Haddow

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Chris Farrugia

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Chris Moulds

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Ciara O’Kane

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Claudia Thomas

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Corrina Aitken

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

David Logue

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Dean Gresser

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Emma Nassif

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Emma Scanlon

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Erin Burns

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Esha Sharma

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Ester Iskandar

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Evangelina Papalia

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Fatima Hussaini

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Felicity Spencer-Davey

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Frankie Raikadroka

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Hannah Norrie

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Harrison Gregson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Heather Edwards

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Isaac Vella

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jarrah Nesbitt

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jasmine Apap

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jessica Orchard

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jonathan Lopez

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Justin Hanna

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kasey Collins

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Katrina Gauci

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kennedy Touet

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kristy Edwards

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kurt White

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kyle Perry

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kylie Saba

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Lorna Nicastri

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Lucas Barglik

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mackenzie Gleeson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Madeleine Vella

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Maja Bosic

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Marxy Koronel

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Matt Barton

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mia Nikic

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Michael Todd

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mr Jeffery Jenkins FACPS

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Nathan Cavanagh

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Oren Schulze

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Patience Namiiro

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Patrick Celeban

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Paul Sawaqed

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Phillip Hartshorne

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Praise Khin

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Rebecca Samuels

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Rianna Nicotera

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sarah Bonnici

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sarah Fenter

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Shannon Smith

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Shara Percival

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sherie Casson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Siobhan Kelly

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Summer Watson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Taleisha Bozzi

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Tori McLean

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Trystan Singh

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Uty Kotwal

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Veronica Theiss

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Yoni Hochberg

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Zak Lloyd

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Zane Awik

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

EPC, DVA, NDIS and WorkCover welcome

Nearly half of our appointments are funded through Medicare, DVA, NDIS or WorkCover. We manage the paperwork so you can focus on your health.

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

NDIS

We are a registered NDIS provider across podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology. We work directly with your plan manager and provide clear progress reporting.

Learn more

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

Seven clinics across three regions

Find a clinic near you. Each location is staffed by local practitioners who know your community.

 

Penrith

Western Sydney

Our largest centre, with our full range of services under one roof.

510/536 High St, Penrith NSW 2750

TBD

Ropes Crossing

Western Sydney

Podiatry, at Ropes Crossing Village.

1B/2 Central Pl, Ropes Crossing NSW 2760

TBD

Blaxland

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology and group classes.

10 Layton Ave, Blaxland NSW 2774

TBD

Springwood

Western Sydney

Podiatry, dietetics and a boutique footwear store.

20 Ferguson Road, Springwood NSW 2777

TBD

Katoomba

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics and psychology, in a restored 1914 cottage.

69 Megalong Street, Katoomba NSW 2780

TBD

Ryde

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics, exercise physiology and psychology, with a footwear store and gait analysis.

819 Victoria Road, corner of Shepherd Street, Ryde NSW 2112

TBD

Lindfield

Western Sydney

Podiatry, with mobile podiatry across the North Shore and Northern Beaches.

2/324 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070

TBD

Ready to trust your shoulder again?

Book an assessment and get a rehabilitation plan built around your shoulder and your goals.

Frequently asked questions

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Lorem ipsum dolor ist amte, consectetuer adipiscing eilt. Aenean commodo ligula egget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quak felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quid, sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor ist amte, consectetuer adipiscing eilt. Aenean commodo ligula egget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quak felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quid, sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor ist amte, consectetuer adipiscing eilt. Aenean commodo ligula egget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quak felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quid, sem.