Shoulder Instability Repairs and Reconstructions
Shoulder dislocations are traumatic but care doesnt have to be, seek expert care the first time
Eric Sanders
Orthopaedic Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeon specialized in treating the shoulder, scapula, clavicle, and elbow through advanced diagnostics and surgical care.
Shoulder Instability
The shoulder is an incredible joint that allows for a wide range of motion. It functions as a large ball (humeral head) sitting in a shallow socket (glenoid)—a design that gives us great mobility but also makes the joint more vulnerable to instability and dislocation.
For the shoulder to remain stable, both the bony structures and the soft tissues (like the labrum, capsule, and rotator cuff) must be intact and working together. When there is too much damage to the bone or soft tissue—or both—the shoulder can become unstable and dislocate.
Treatment Options
The best treatment depends on several factors, including your age, activity level, and the extent of the damage. In many cases, physical therapy is the first step. Therapy focuses on strengthening the rotator cuff muscles and the muscles around the shoulder blade (scapula) to restore balance and control. With 17 muscles attached to it, the scapula plays a key role in stabilizing the shoulder—almost like the brain behind the movement.
If physical therapy does not provide enough stability—or if there is significant damage to the bone or soft tissues—surgical treatment may be recommended.
Surgical Options
Surgical procedures for shoulder instability vary depending on the type and severity of the injury:
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to repair the labrum (a ring of fibrocartilage around the socket) and tighten the capsule (the inner lining of the joint).
Bone reconstruction procedures may be necessary if there is a significant bone loss. One example is the Latarjet procedure, which transfers a piece of bone (often from another part of the shoulder or a donor) to rebuild the socket and provide better stability.
Shoulder instability surgeries commonly performed by Dr. Sanders:
Arthroscopic repair and reconstruction of labrum and capsule
Remplissage procedure and/or transfer of infraspinatus tendon to Hill-Sachs lesion
Latarjet procedure and/or coracoid transfer to the glenoid
Cadaver distal tibial allograft transfer to glenoid
Iliac bone transfer to glenoid
Open reduction internal fixation of glenoid
Allograft transfer of allograft bone to humeral head defect
