Shoulder Instability Surgery

What it treats

The shoulder is a shallow ball-and-socket joint held in place by the labrum, ligaments (the capsule), and muscles. Once it dislocates, those tissues are often torn or stretched and the shoulder can slip out again. This is called chronic shoulder instability.

• Bankart tear — the labrum and ligaments torn from the front and bottom of the socket during a dislocation
• Posterior labral tears — tears at the back of the socket, which can cause pain or backward instability
• Loose or stretched capsule — from repeated overhead activity or naturally loose ligaments
• Symptoms include repeated dislocations, the shoulder “giving out,” and a feeling that it is loose or slipping

Is surgery right for you?

Many people start with non-operative care, and it can take several months to know how well it is working:

• Avoiding the activities and arm positions that cause the shoulder to slip
• Anti-inflammatory medication when it is safe for you
• Physical therapy to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles and improve control
• A brace for some athletes during certain activities

Surgery is usually recommended for repeated dislocations or instability that continues despite therapy. For some young, active people, it may be discussed after a first dislocation because the risk of it happening again is higher. Imaging usually includes X-rays and an MRI, and sometimes a CT scan to check for bone loss.