INSTABILITY (DISLOCATION)

The shoulder is a joint which has a huge range of motion but this means that it is inherently unstable and relies on the surrounding structures (muscles and ligaments) to stop it dislocating. If any of these structures is damaged the shoulder can become unstable. The shoulder can be unstable in any direction,  anterior dislocation is the most common.

There are several different types of instability. This information sheet focuses on the type which most commonly requires surgery.

Dislocation usually occurs as a result of a fall in which the arm is twisted up and away from the body (as in preparing to throw a ball). The tissues at the front of the shoulder (the “labrum”) can be damaged, tearing them away from their attachment.

Once the shoulder has sustained a dislocation it is more likely that it will dislocate again. The risk of redislocation is dependent on a number of factors including age and sporting activity. If the shoulder keeps dislocating or feels unstable then surgery should be considered.

How is the diagnosis made?

The history of the dislocation(s) will be taken and the shoulder examined. There are usually certain positions in which the shoulder feels as if it is going to dislocate.

Investigations include:

  • Xray
  • MRI
  • CT scan
X-Ray of a dislocated shoulder

How can further injury be prevented?

Unfortunately once the shoulder has dislocated the damage has been done to the inside of the joint. This does not mean that arthritis will follow but means that further dislocation is more likely again unless all movements which may dislocate the shoulder are avoided. Physiotherapy can help to strengthen the muscles and correct any imbalances. Avoidance of the cause (i.e. stopping the sport) may also reduce the risk of recurrence.

If initial treatment doesn’t work, what’s next?

If the shoulder keeps dislocating or if the patient is highly likely to suffer recurrent dislocation it may be necessary to operate and repair the soft tissue (labrum) to stabilise the shoulder. 

On occasion the bone of the glenoid (socket) becomes damaged and a soft tissue repair is unlikely to work. If this is the case then the surgeon may recommend that the bone be rebuilt. this can be done in a number of ways and will be discussed with you if it is necessary.

Shoulder stabilisation surgery

Anaesthetic

General Anaesthetic with an interscalene block (Fully asleep with a local anaesthetic injection into the side of the neck will numb the nerves to the shoulder for post-operative pain relief)

More information about nerve blocks can be found here

Operation type

Arthroscopic (keyhole)

Incisions

 3 ½ cm incisions will be made in the shoulder, one to the back and two at the front of the shoulder.

Procedure

The gleno-humeral (shoulder) joint will be inspected first. The area where the labrum has become detached will be freshened up and the labrum re-attached to the glenoid using 2 or 3 sutures secured to the bone using “suture anchors”

  • Damaged labrum
  • Mobilised labrum
  • Insertion of anchor
  • Completed repair

An animation of the procedure can be found here

A video of the procedure can be found here

Wound Closure

Small butterfly paper stitches will be used to close the wounds. 

Tegaderm waterproof dressings will be placed over the top of the paper stitches.

Pain relief

The anaesthetist will discuss a nerve block which will be administered after you are asleep, this means that you will wake up with no pain in the shoulder but the arm will feel numb for up to 12 hours. You will be prescribed painkillers to start taking when you get home and we encourage you to take these regularly for at least the first few days. There will be some discomfort but this settles quite rapidly and ice packs can be used in addition if you wish.

Wound care

The dressings will be changed before you go home and these can be left alone until they are removed. Typically they can be removed 10 days after surgery just by peeling them off and you do not need to visit the doctor for this.

The dressings are showerproof and you will be given some spares in case they start to peel off.

Rehabilitation after surgery

You will wake up with a sling on your arm. It is ESSENTIAL that you wear this as instructed 

Sling with bodystrap

  • Wound care: The dressings are showerproof and you can leave them on for 10 days after which they can simply be peeled off.
  • It is important that the sling and bodystrap are worn at all times.
  • You may remove the sling for washing but keep your hand against your stomach
  • Keep moving your hand to keep your wrist from becoming stiff
  • Take your hand out of the sling and straighten the elbow regularly to prevent the elbow from becoming stiff. When doing this start with the palm on the stomach then straighten the elbow so that the palm rests on the front of the thigh.

Phase 2: 3-6 weeks

  • You will be seen in the clinic at 3 weeks
  • At 3 weeks you can leave the sling off during the day (within the limits 
  • Start working on forward elevation (lift the arm to the front to the horizontal)
  • Active external rotation to neutral (handshake position) *NO Further than this until 6 weeks*
  • Aim: Forward elevation to horizontal by 6 weeks

Phase 3: 6-12 weeks

  • Physiotherapy should start at this stage
  • Start working on range of motion exercises
  • Start rotator cuff strengthening exercises 

Surgical Risks

Every operation has an degree of risk. It is important that you are aware of these risks before you agree to proceed with your operation.
If you decide not to proceed with surgery there is a possibility that the symptoms will settle on their own but they may continue and they may get worse. You will not damage the shoulder if you decide not to proceed with surgery. 

The most common or significant risks are outlined below. A risk of 0.1% means that 1 in 1000 people will suffer the complication 

  • Failure of the procedure to relieve symptoms: 5% 
  • Superficial Infection (requiring antibiotics): 0.16% 
  • Deep Infection (requiring further surgery): 0.02% 
  • PE (Pulmonary Embolus) (Blood clot in the lung): 0.13% – Blood thinning medication is required for several months. Can rarely result in death. 
  • DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) (Blood clot in the leg): 0.14% – Blood thinning medication is required for several months. Can lead to PE 
  • Nerve Injury: 0.01% – Usually temporary. Can cause weakness around the shoulder with loss of function and rarely can be permanent. 
  • Heart attack: 0.02%
  • To put these numbers in perspective
    The chance of:
    • Getting three balls in the UK national lottery: 0.9%
    • Needing emergency treatment in the next year after being injured by a can, bottle, or jar: 0.1% 
    • Death by an accident at home: 0.01%
    • For a 50 year old man in good health the 5 year risk of dying is 0.8% 

Frequently asked questions

Return to work after surgery

This is very much dependent on the type of work that you do, whether you need to drive to get to work and the type of surgery that you have had done.

You, as the patient, have the best idea of the specific demands that are required of you to do your work safely and effectively.

Having an operation with an anaesthetic often takes more out of people than they would expect. Generally it is probably worth taking at least a week off from your regular work after having had any procedure.

You should discuss expected post-operative recovery and work with the surgeon before your operation.

Driving after surgery

To be able to drive safely you should be capable of actively moving your shoulder without assistance and without damaging the surgical repair. You should be able to react normally to avoid causing injury to yourself or others due to a lack of control.

Typically this is a MINIMUM eight weeks after a shoulder stabilisation.

It is a UK requirement that, unless specific dispensation has been granted by the DVLA, a driver uses both arms to control the steering wheel.

It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that they are in control of the vehicle at all times. They should be able to demonstrate this if stopped by the police.

It is not a requirement to notify the DVLA unless the medical conditions likely to affect safe driving persist for longer than three months after the date of the surgery.

Drivers must not drive under the influence of narcotic medications or within a minimum of 24 hours after an anaesthetic.

You are not allowed to drive one-handed and therefore cannot drive whilst you are in the sling.

There is no precise time after surgery when you can return to driving, it varies from person to person. However, the recommended amount of time that your arm should be in a sling following surgery is the MINIMUM time before considering a return to driving.

You can return to driving when you are capable of moving your shoulder without assistance and are capable of driving safely and reacting appropriately in an emergency situation.

Although it is not essential, it may be wise to discuss your return to driving with your car insurance company.

Sports after surgery

You can start simple cardio such as walking or using a static bicycle immediately following surgery as long as you are wearing your sling. Exercises which involve the shoulder cannot start until you have regained reasonable range. This is typically about eight weeks following surgery.

Contact sports and sports in which you are likely to fall over should not be started until you have achieved the full range of motion and your strength is normal and in addition you need to have the confidence in the shoulder that you can fall onto it with no consequences. This can take up to 6 months and you should factor this into your decision to have surgery.