Skip to main content

SHOULDER DISLOCATION - Operate or Not?

Surgical Management of Shoulder Dislocation

Introduction

Shoulder dislocation is a common musculoskeletal injury, occurring approximately 20 times per 10,000 individuals annually. While non-operative treatment is often effective, recurrent dislocations are a significant concern, particularly among younger patients and those with high-demand lifestyles. Surgery can be considered for patients with recurrent dislocations, those with concomitant injuries, or those experiencing persistent pain and functional limitations.

Indications for Surgery

Surgical intervention for shoulder dislocation is typically considered in the following scenarios:

  1. Recurrent Dislocations: Patients with a history of two or more dislocations are at a substantially increased risk of future recurrences, reaching up to 90% in some studies. Surgery can effectively reduce the likelihood of re-dislocation, especially in younger patients and those engaged in high-impact activities.

  2. Concomitant Injuries: Shoulder dislocation can sometimes cause damage to surrounding structures, such as the rotator cuff, labrum, or nerves. In these cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged tissues and restore shoulder function.

  3. Persistent Pain and Functional Limitations: If conservative treatment fails to alleviate pain and improve shoulder function, surgery can be considered to improve the patient's quality of life.

Surgical Procedures

Various surgical procedures are employed to address shoulder dislocation and its associated complications. The specific technique chosen depends on the individual patient's anatomy, injury pattern, and treatment goals. Common surgical approaches include:

  1. Capsular Shift Procedures: These procedures involve tightening the ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint to enhance stability and reduce the risk of dislocation.

  2. Labral Repair: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that provides stability to the shoulder joint. If the labrum is torn, it can be repaired surgically to restore joint function.

  3. Rotator Cuff Repair: The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. If the rotator cuff is torn, it can be repaired surgically to improve shoulder strength and function.

  4. Bone Augmentation Procedures: In cases of bone loss or deficiency, bone augmentation techniques can be used to provide additional support and stability to the shoulder joint.

Benefits and Risks of Surgery

Surgical management of shoulder dislocation offers several potential benefits, including:

  • Reduced risk of recurrent dislocation
  • Improved pain and function
  • Shorter recovery time compared to recurrent dislocations

However, surgery is not without risks, and potential complications include:

  • Infection
  • Stiffness
  • Damage to nerves or blood vessels

Decision-Making Process

The decision of whether or not to pursue surgical intervention for shoulder dislocation should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering various factors, including:

  • Age and activity level
  • Severity of injury
  • Response to non-surgical treatment
  • Patient's individual goals and preferences

Conclusion

Surgical management of shoulder dislocation can be an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent dislocations, concomitant injuries, or persistent pain and functional limitations. Careful consideration of the patient's individual circumstances, along with a thorough discussion of the potential benefits and risks, is essential for making informed treatment decisions.

SCOT: Dr.Naveen's Bone and Joint Clinic, Sholinganallur

www.scotortho.com

9094567894, 9094567893

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Road Rage & RSI: Tips to Save Your Spine & Serenity

Conquering the Commute: Advanced Strategies for Navigating Traffic & Rough Roads Taming the urban jungle while battling bumpy terrain demands more than just steering wheel prowess. It's an exercise in physical and mental agility, requiring a strategic approach that prioritizes both comfort and composure.  Repetitive movements can strain your body, leading to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). So while driving you could be straining your neck, wrist, ankle and many other joints as well as muscles that slowly and steadily lead to long damage. Not only the bodily strain, bad driving conditions can lead to mental strain too and that is the cause for Road Rage. Here's how to elevate your driving game, transforming those tense commutes into journeys of focused awareness. Physical Finesse: Proper Posture: Imagine a string gently pulling you upwards, aligning your spine and neck in a relaxed yet upright position. Adjust your seat so your lower back finds solace against t
Post a Comment
Read more

Walking: Tips to Make it a Great Exercise

Walking: A Great Exercise for Orthopedic Health Walking is a fantastic form of exercise that's widely recommended by Orthopaedic Surgeons. It's a low-impact activity that delivers a multitude of benefits for your bones, joints, and overall health. Benefits of Walking for Your Orthopedic Health Strengthens Bones and Muscles: Walking is weight-bearing exercise, forcing your bones and muscles to work against gravity. This strengthens them, helping to prevent osteoporosis and injuries. Improves Joint Health: Walking lubricates your joints and improves flexibility. It can also reduce pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Maintains a Healthy Weight: Walking burns calories and aids in maintaining a healthy weight. This is crucial for joint health, as excess weight stresses your joints. Enhances Balance and Coordination: Walking improves your balance and coordination, which helps prevent falls. Walking Tips From An Orthopaedic Perspective  Technique Matters: Fo
Post a Comment
Read more

Why LEO Worries Me as An Orthopaedician? Smoking!!!

Before Thalapathi (Actor Dr. Joseph Vijay's title given by his fans) fans get upset with me let me state the following: 1) I am a big fan of his acting , dancing and comic timing. 2) I understand smoking scenes may be the need of the script. 3) I know statutory warnings are displayed when smoking happens on screen. My angst is two fold. Firstly the impressionable minds might misconstrue that smoking is cool as their idol is doing it. And in this movie ,Leo, the number of scenes too is a lot . But more importantly the second thing is that everyone seems to know what smoking does to the heart and lungs but very little is spoken about its impact on Bone & Joint Health. So I will try to address that information gap in this blog post . Smoking and Orthopaedics: A Comprehensive Perspective Smoking is a major public health problem that has a number of adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system, including: Weakening of bones and increased risk of fractures: Smoking decre
Post a Comment
Read more