Shoulder Instability

Shoulder Instability

Shoulder Instability Treatment and Surgery in Wayne, Paramus, and Parsippany NJ

The shoulder joint has exceptional mobility and is the most commonly dislocated large joint.

The shoulder joint has exceptional mobility and is the most commonly dislocated large joint. Males aged 10 to 20 years old are the most common first time dislocators, followed by those in the 50 to 60 year age group. Often times shoulder subluxation or dislocation may be recurrent, as once the shoulder has initially dislocated, it is more prone to do so again in the future. The shoulder may be unstable anteriorly, posteriorly, inferiorly or multidirectionally. Initial traumatic dislocations are most likely the result of a fall, trauma or forceful throwing motion. Shoulder dislocations are also much less commonly atraumatic are caused by ligamentous laxity, connective tissue disease or bony abnormalities.

The shoulder is usually put back in place (reduced) in the emergency room. Unfortunately, many times there may be associated injuries that the patient is unaware of. Studies have shown that one in every three patients will sustain a greater tuberosity fracture or a rotator cuff tear after a primary shoulder dislocation. In patients over the age of 40, the likelihood of having an associated rotator cuff tear increases dramatically. Associated labral tears and axillary nerve traction injuries are also not uncommon. Children who have not reached skeletal maturity are more likely to sustain injuries to their growth plates. The elasticity of the shoulder capsule in young children may help prevent damage to the capsulolabral complex and decrease the likelihood of redislocation. It is important that patients of all ages follow up in an orthopedic office after shoulder dislocations for further evaluation. Associated injuries are oftentimes overlooked if not evaluated by a specialist.

After an acute dislocation is reduced the patient will likely be immobilized in a sling for three to four weeks. Often times an MRI will be obtained if there is suspicion of an associated rotator cuff tear or labral pathology. CT scans may be ordered if there is suspected bone loss or fracture. Redislocation is most common in males under the age of 20 but may occur in older patients as well. Instability may be the result of soft tissue or a bony deficiency. In the case of recurrent dislocation, surgery may be necessary. A Bankart lesion is a tear of the labrum and detachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament that results from an anterior-inferior dislocation of the humerus. Hill-Sachs lesions, impression fractures in the humeral head, often result from glenohumeral dislocations. The glenoid itself, the socket part of the joint, may also be fractured as a result of dislocation making it difficult to ensure stability by only addressing the soft tissues. In this case, a Latarjet procedure may be necessary, which involves transferring autograft from the distal coracoid into the glenoid defect.