When the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) is separated from the glenoid socket of the scapula (shoulder blade) is known as a shoulder dislocation. The separation of these bones can cause tears to the surrounding ligaments and soft tissues that further weaken their ability to keep the humeral head in place. If this condition is left untreated, it can lead to a complete lack of joint stability that results in recurrent shoulder dislocations. This shoulder instability is often seen in athletic individuals that perform repetitive overhead motions. Dr. Frank McCormick, orthopedic shoulder doctor, treats patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and surrounding Florida communities, who have experienced multiple shoulder dislocations and are in need of surgical repair.
The best treatment option to repair shoulder instability is with surgical intervention to remove damaged tissue and tighten the surrounding joint capsule. This is typically completed through a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera (arthroscope) to methodically analyze the soft tissue structures of the shoulder joint. Specialized surgical instruments are then introduced to excise and remove any damaged tissue fragments and correct any other joint irregularities. The remaining healthy tissue is fastened back to the glenoid socket using special surgical anchors that are secured within the bone. These surgical anchors situate the glenohumeral joint back to the correct anatomical position and secure the joint in place.
Some individuals may require open surgery to stabilize the shoulder joint. This surgical approach may be recommended over an arthroscopic repair for patients with chronic shoulder instability, when the shoulder joint was not successfully reduced, or for patients that experienced bone loss as a result of multiple shoulder dislocations. Open surgery uses a slightly larger incision for Dr. McCormick to visualize the entire shoulder joint while completing the necessary repairs.
A capsular shift is an additional surgical technique that can reinforce the joint to stay in place. This technique is performed as an open surgery involving the careful incision of the subscapularis muscle portion of the rotator cuff to gain access to the shoulder capsule. This capsule is opened and the top section is pulled down and the bottom section is pulled up and the sections are then sutured together. Opening the capsule and overlapping the tissues reduces the overall volume of the shoulder joint capsule.
The specific surgical method performed by Dr. McCormick often determines the recovery period. While the minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure has documented shorter recovery times, the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments still take the same amount of time to heal. The majority of patients can expect a return to their normal daily activities in approximately 4 to 6 months with a year or more of continued improvement. In general, patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and the surrounding Florida communities can anticipate the following during the recovery process:
For more information on shoulder labrum and SLAP tear repairs, or to discuss your shoulder labrum treatment options, please contact the office of Frank McCormick, MD, orthopedic shoulder doctor serving Orlando, Kissimmee, Palm Beach County, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
