Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

Frequent and easy dislocation of the shoulder following another dislocation experience in young patients is called recurrent shoulder dislocation. With the first dislocation, the frontal capsule is torn and gets separated from the bone. This damage leads to easy recurrence of dislocation. Despite subsiding pain after the initial treatment, the shoulder can dislocate once again while putting on a jacket or reaching for or throwing an object. Interesting as it may sound, some patients dislocate their shoulders while asleep. Recurring shoulder dislocation may bring about compression fractures on the spherical end of the humerus. This is known as Hill-Sachs lesion. Due to frequent dislocations, the Hill-Sachs lesion gradually grows in size. In this way, recurring shoulder dislocation causes problems in daily life and creates a feeling of insecurity as patients feel compelled to act cautiously as if the shoulder would dislocate again at any moment.

Diagnosis of Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

Physical examination would often suffice to diagnose recurrent shoulder dislocation although physicians may ask for X-ray or MRI imaging for a final diagnosis.

Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

Repeating cases of shoulder dislocation calls for surgery. Nonetheless, the preferred surgical approach to recurrent shoulder dislocation is arthroscopy, which is a safe and closed surgical intervention. In shoulder arthroscopy, the surgeon fixes the capsule that has been separated from the bone back to its original place with the help of a camera, several treatment instruments, and small screws inserted through 0.5cm incisions. The small size of incisions enables a quite painless and shorter recovery compared to open surgery. The post-operative period lasts for about 2 months until the shoulder regains its normal motion range. Patients need to use a shoulder sling for the first 4 weeks and exercise regularly as instructed by the physician. Following the exercise routine is of great importance as this complements a successful operation for a quick recovery process. It may be necessary to wait for a few months before returning to straining activities. For more information about this surgical procedure, please refer to our article on shoulder arthroscopy.

Advantages of Arthroscopic Surgery in Recurrent Shoulder Dislocations

• Simultaneously identification and treatment of accompanying problems
• Less painful post-operative process
• Speedy recovery
• Comfortable and safe operation procedure
• Low risk of restriction in rotation motions
• Considerably shorter operation times
• Low risk of complications
• Hardly noticeable scars

Complications

The only complication specific to arthroscopy is that it falls short in treating dislocations related with absence of bones. Other complications that we can list here are not specific to arthroscopy as they can occur in any open or closed (arthroscopic) surgical operation. It should be noted that closed surgery minimizes risks of complication to a great extent (See “advantages of arthroscopy“). Still, the most common complication after recurrent shoulder dislocation operation remains to be recurrence although the probability of this risk is below ten percent.