Shoulder Injuries - Shoulder Instability and Dislocations

Shoulder instability frequently results from collision sports. The shoulder is forced out of the socket, which causes the ligaments to stretch and tear. When the instability becomes a repetitive occurrence, surgery ca be utilized to stabilize the shoulder. This is classically done utilizing an open procedure, which shortens and tightens the ligaments. More recently, the physicians at Sports Medicine North have been using arthroscopic techniques to restore stability. Through small incisions the ligaments are sewn back to their attachment.

	During the Surgery During surgery, your orthopaedist can tighten a torn or stretched capsule, reattach a torn labrum, and repair other damage to your shoulder joint. Tightening or repairing the capsule and the labrum can be done using one of techniques described below. Your orthopaedist may use an open procedure or arthroscopy.
	Capsule Shift If the capsule is stretched, your orthopaedist may use surgical thread (sutures) to tighten it. Your orthopaedist folds the excess capsule underneath itself and stitches it together.
	Repair to the Glenoid If the capsule ad labrum are torn, your orthopaedist can use sutures to reattach them to the glenoid.
	Repair with Surgical Anchors Instead of putting sutures directly through the glenoid, your orthopaedist may use surgical anchors. Surgical anchors are inserted into small holes drilled in the glenoid. Sutures connected to the top of the anchors are used to reattach the capsule and labrum.

A thermal probe can also be used to tighten the capsule by shrinking the tissues that have been stretched. The results of these innovative techniques have been excellent and can be done with minimal incisions and trauma.

Shoulder instability can also result from repetitive overhead sports such as tennis, swimming and volleyball. When this occurs, patients experience a feeling of apprehension, pain and possibly numbness down the arm. An intensive exercise program is prescribed to strengthen the shoulder muscles in order to compensate for the stretched ligaments. If this fails and the symptoms persist, then surgery can be performed. The orthopedic surgeons at Sports Medicine North have been using an arthroscopic probe (Thermal Capsulorraphy) to shrink the ligaments and restore stability

This technique has replaced the more traditional open surgery, which requires more extensive surgery, more risks and more extended rehabilitation.

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