What kinds of operations are done for shoulder dislocations?

The surgical operations that can be done in order to prevent shoulder dislocations are designed to repair and strengthen the ligaments that normally keep the shoulder in the joint. These operations have been developed over the years as doctors have recognized that many dislocated shoulders have a particular type of injury called a "Bankhart lesion." The Bankhart lesion specifically refers to an injury where part of the ligaments and capsule of the shoulder joint are pulled away from the bone. Surgical techniques are aimed at fixing this problem and also at tightening up the ligaments of the shoulder that have been stretched or torn by the dislocation.

Repairing the torn capsule and ligament back to the bone is called a Bankhart repair, and tightening the capsule of the shoulder is called a "capsular shift." Both of these procedures can be done with both open and arthroscopic techniques. Open techniques are tried and true. They are very reliable in preventing future dislocations. Arthroscopic techniques have recently been developed in order to decrease the size of the surgical scar and the amount of pain after the operation, and also to speed up the rehabilitation after the operation. Your doctor will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of shoulder surgery that are designed to prevent the shoulder from coming out of joint.

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