subject: Chronic Shoulder Dislocation - Bankart's Repair In Asheboro Nc [print this page] Chronic shoulder dislocation doesn't have to be a life-long problem when Asheboro NC orthopedic surgeons can perform Bankart's repair to your unstable shoulder joint. A joint that is too loose can slip and slide around in its socket, and can actually dislocate. The shoulder may slip back into proper position by itself, or the joint may need to be reduced, that is, manually returned to its natural state. Dislocation is a painful injury that requires immediate treatment to alleviate pain.
Shoulder physiology
Easily the most utilized and compliant joint in the human body, your shoulder has a very wide range of motion. The shoulder is made up of three bones: scapula, or shoulder blade; clavicle, or collar bone; and humerus, or arm bone. These bones are joined together by soft tissues: muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The shoulder joint is enclosed inside a watertight capsule which contains lubricating fluid for the entire joint. The joint capsule walls allow space and flexibility for the shoulder's unrestricted range of motion.
The main joint consists of the ball-shaped head of the humerus, and a cup-shaped hollow on the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The rim of this cup-shaped hollow is called the labrum, and this soft tissue plays a big part in chronic shoulder dislocation and Bankart's repair.
What causes chronic shoulder dislocation?
If injury causes an initial shoulder dislocation, the joint may remain unstable afterward if ligaments that should keep the shoulder in its socket were torn or stretched during the injury. Alternatively, you may develop chronic shoulder dislocation by repeated stretching of the joint capsule during overhead sports activity such as volleyball, basketball, or swimming, or during other repetitive overhead movement at work or at home.
Moving inside its loosened environment, your shoulder can easily slip and slide, wearing or tearing the soft tissue rim of the glenoid hollow. A labral tear can in turn cause your shoulder to become even less stable, and may become so damaged a flap of the labrum gets caught between the humerus head and glenoid hollow, painfully catching when you move your shoulder. A chronically dislocated shoulder actually feels unstable, and many sufferers simply stop attempting certain arm motions that make them fear a dislocation will occur.
Can chronic shoulder dislocation be treated non-surgically?
For your orthopedic surgeons in Asheboro NC, alleviating your pain and lessening inflammation will be a first goal. Other non-surgical treatments may include rest, anti-inflammatories, pain killers, cortisone injections, ice or heat treatments and physical therapy. Many chronic shoulder dislocations are treated successfully in this way.
What is Bankart's repair surgery?
If your chronic shoulder dislocation symptoms don't go away, your orthopedic surgeon may need to tighten loose ligaments and repair the labrum. The Bankart repair, as it is sometimes called, is generally performed arthroscopically, that is, using a fiber-optic camera and manipulating instruments through several small incisions.
Your orthopedic surgeon will make several small incisions around the shoulder to allow for insertion of the camera and surgical instruments. This approach can decrease tissue damage near the repaired joint, and shorten healing and recovery time. Torn or otherwise damaged soft tissue is removed, bone spurs are removed, and rough edges are smoothed. Next your surgeon will stabilize the shoulder joint by shortening and reattaching the loosened ligaments.
In Bankart's repair, special devices called suture anchors are used to reattach ligaments to the bone. Small enough to be inserted arthroscopically, the suture anchors are made of metal or of a plastic that dissolves over time. Your orthopedic surgeon drills the anchor into the bone, and attaches the ligaments securely to the anchor. Over time, metal becomes merged with bone and the sutures dissolve, preparing your shoulder for return to normal function.
What is recovery after Bankart's repair like?
You may be able to go home the same day after arthroscopic Bankart's repair. Aftercare will include rest, use of a sling to immobilize the joint as it heals, and a carefully designed regimen of physical therapy, beginning with simple motion exercises. Your orthopedic surgeon will tell you when you can return to normal day-to-day activity. Total recovery may take a few months.
Chronic shoulder dislocation doesn't have to limit your activities. Consult the orthopedic surgeons in Asheboro NC for an examination to see if Bankart's repair can help you regain full use of your shoulder.
