SHOULDER INSTABILITY
Shoulder
Instability Surgery
Surgery for shoulder instability is designed to restore long-term shoulder stability, prevent future dislocations, and allow patients to return confidently to work, sports, and everyday activities. The most important decision is not whether surgery is necessary—it is selecting the operation that best matches your specific pattern of instability.
Permanent Stability
Individualized
Restore Normal Function
Return To Activity
When Is Surgery Recommended?
Not every patient with shoulder instability requires surgery. Many first-time dislocations can be treated successfully with rehabilitation. However, surgery becomes increasingly appropriate when the shoulder continues to dislocate, significant structural damage is present, or the risk of recurrent instability is unacceptably high.
Dr. Streit's Clinical Perspective
The goal is not simply to repair what is torn. The goal is to restore a shoulder that will remain stable for decades. Choosing the correct operation the first time is one of the most important decisions in shoulder instability surgery.
Common Reasons Surgery Is Recommended
Recurrent Dislocations
The shoulder continues to come out despite rehabilitation.
Young Competitive Athletes
Patients at particularly high risk for recurrent instability.
Persistent Apprehension
The shoulder never feels trustworthy during normal activities.
Labral Injury
A significant Bankart tear contributing to instability.
Bone Loss
Loss of bone from the glenoid or humeral head that increases the risk of recurrent instability.
Failure Of Nonoperative Treatment
Symptoms persist despite an appropriate rehabilitation program.
How Is The Correct Operation Chosen?
There is no single operation that is right for every patient. Surgical planning requires a detailed understanding of the entire instability pattern.
Your Age
Sport Or Occupation
Bone Loss
Soft Tissue Injury
Hill-Sachs Lesion
Number Of Dislocations
Ligament Quality
Your Goals
Common Surgical Procedures
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Repairs the torn labrum and restores the normal soft-tissue stabilizers of the shoulder. Often appropriate when instability is primarily caused by a Bankart tear without significant bone loss.
Latarjet Procedure
Transfers bone to the front of the shoulder socket to restore stability when bone loss or other high-risk factors make a soft-tissue repair alone less reliable.
Can Surgery Prevent Future Dislocations?
The goal of surgery is to dramatically reduce the risk of recurrent instability while restoring confidence in the shoulder. Success depends on selecting the correct procedure, carefully performing the operation, following the rehabilitation program, and allowing adequate time for healing before returning to higher-risk activities.
What I Tell My Patients
"The operation isn't chosen because it's my favorite procedure. It's chosen because it's the operation that gives your shoulder the best chance of remaining stable for the rest of your life."
Recovery After Surgery
First Few Weeks
Protect the repair while early healing occurs.
Physical Therapy
Gradual restoration of motion and strength.
Return To Daily Activities
Progressive return under the guidance of your surgeon and therapist.
Return To Sports
Based on healing, strength, stability, and sport-specific demands.
Related Resources
Considering Surgery For Shoulder Instability?
A comprehensive evaluation can determine why your shoulder remains unstable and identify the surgical procedure most likely to restore long-term stability and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
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