Arthroscopic Treatment in Habitual Shoulder Dislocations
In cases of habitual shoulder dislocations, tissue damage and calcification can occur in the joint. As a result, surgery is favored as the primary treatment option. Open surgery is not often used, and instead, arthroscopic shoulder surgery is the usual approach. The specific technique used, such as the Bankart lesion repair or capsular shrinkage, will depend on the cause of the repeated dislocations and will be performed using the minimally invasive arthroscopic method.
What is Shoulder Dislocation?
The shoulder joint is made up of the arm bone (humerus) and the joint socket (glenoid) on the scapula (shoulder blade). This structure is surrounded and supported by the capsule, as well as various connective tissues and muscles. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the arm bone is dislocated from the joint socket, breaking the mechanical stability of the joint.
Why Does Shoulder Dislocation Recur?
When the labrum, the cartilage lining the glenoid bone, is damaged during the first shoulder dislocation, the risk of repeat dislocations increases. Certain congenital factors, such as a loose capsule or a small arm bone head connecting to the joint, can cause early onset shoulder dislocations and often result in repeated occurrences.
Shoulder Dislocation Symptoms
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Severe pain in the shoulder and entire arm
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Limitation of movement in the shoulder joint
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Difficulty raising and/or moving the arm
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Posture deformity in the shoulder joint
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Both arms look different from each other
Arthroscopic Surgery in Habitual Shoulder Dislocations
Recurrent or habitual shoulder dislocations can be treated with minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures like Bankart repair and capsular shifting to prevent future dislocations and repair any tissue damage. These procedures are performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and through small incisions, using arthroscopic imaging for guidance. The objective of the surgery is to secure the arm bone so it stays within the joint socket, and to repair and strengthen the surrounding tissues to provide stability to the joint.