Shoulder Dislocation
Andreas Leonidou
Orthopaedic Surgeon
56 Kifisias Ave. & Delfon St.,
Marousi, 15125
- Symptoms
- Conservative Treatment
- Surgical Treatment
- Cost
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What Is a Shoulder Dislocation?
The main shoulder joint consists of the head of the humerus (spherical surface) and the glenoid (concave surface). The shoulder is naturally a joint that allows a large range of motion. However, it is also the joint that dislocates most frequently. When the head of the humerus moves out of the concave part of the joint, a dislocation occurs.
Why Does a Shoulder Dislocation Occur? What Are the Causes?
Most of the time, a shoulder dislocation is the result of an injury, often during sports activities. It can also occasionally occur in patients with loose connective tissue and joint hypermobility. The most common type of dislocation is anterior, where the head of the humerus shifts forward from the concave surface.
What Are the Symptoms and Initial Treatment?
Acute traumatic shoulder dislocation is characterised by severe pain and inability to move the shoulder. Occasionally, the patient may experience numbness on the outer surface of the shoulder or even in the fingers of the hand. It is important to be assessed immediately by a specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon and for the dislocation to be reduced. After reduction, the patient will wear a sling.
Associated Shoulder Injuries
At the front of the glenoid is the labrum, a piece of connective tissue that enhances shoulder stability. In an anterior dislocation, the labrum is torn (Bankart lesion). The head of the humerus develops a compression fracture (Hill-Sachs lesion). In older patients, shoulder dislocation may lead to a tear of the shoulder tendons (rotator cuff tear). More rarely, during a dislocation, the glenoid may sustain a fracture (bony Bankart lesion).
Assessment of a Patient with Shoulder Dislocation
A patient who has sustained a shoulder dislocation requires assessment by a specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dr Leonidou will take a detailed medical history and examine you. After the shoulder has been reduced, the doctor will perform an ultrasound scan of the area to assess the integrity of the shoulder tendons. The doctor will refer you for an MRI scan of the shoulder to confirm and evaluate the extent and degree of the labral tear.
Treatment – Management of Shoulder Dislocation
Treatment after reduction depends on the following factors:
Patient’s age at the first dislocation
Number of dislocations
Associated bone or tendon injuries
Patient’s involvement in sports activities
Indicatively, in patients under the age of 20, the probability of recurrence of the dislocation exceeds 90%. Patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation develop symptoms of chronic instability.
Symptoms of Chronic Shoulder Instability
Patients may experience the following symptoms:
Pain on the front or outer aspect of the shoulder. The pain may radiate as far as the elbow, as well as to the neck and back.
Night pain that wakes the patient, especially if they sleep on the affected shoulder.
The patient feels that the shoulder will dislocate when raising the arm high combined with external rotation.
Recurrent dislocations even during sleep.
What Is the Conservative Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation?
In older patients, without other associated injuries and in patients who do not participate in sports activities, shoulder dislocation is treated conservatively as follows:
Sling for 2–4 weeks
Rest and activity modification
Ice therapy
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Physiotherapy and a home exercise programme.
Surgical Treatment for Shoulder Dislocation
In young patients, in those who actively participate in sports, as well as in the presence of associated injuries, treatment of shoulder dislocation is surgical with arthroscopy. Arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation offers a definitive solution with excellent functional outcomes.
Shoulder arthroscopy involves 3 incisions, each 4 millimetres long. Through these incisions, a camera with cold light and the necessary instruments are inserted into the shoulder. Dr Leonidou will repair the labrum in its anatomical position using sutures and a bone anchor. The materials are fully compatible with the human body.
During the operation, the doctor will also repair any other associated injury (such as a tendon tear). The anaesthesia is regional only, and the patient remains awake – if they wish – during the procedure. The technique of shoulder arthroscopy without general anaesthesia is being performed for the first time in Greece by Dr Leonidou’s team.
Hospitalisation is not required, and the patient is discharged from the hospital a few hours after the operation.
Doctor’s Interview
How Successful Is the Surgery?
Arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation is a safe and bloodless procedure with extremely low complication rates and excellent functional outcomes.
Rehabilitation After Surgery for Shoulder Dislocation
The patient returns home wearing a sling for a few weeks. Postoperatively, a personalised rehabilitation protocol is followed by the physiotherapists of our team. Return to sports is gradual and takes place 3–6 months after surgery.
What Can Happen If I Neglect Chronic Shoulder Instability?
Each new shoulder dislocation increases the risk of further damage to the labrum, as well as the likelihood of developing an associated injury. In addition, each dislocation may remove a certain amount of bone from the front part of the glenoid. If this bone loss increases, the patient may need to undergo a larger and open surgery to stabilise the shoulder.
Shoulder Arthroscopy – Video
Shoulder Arthroscopy – Video
The cost is quite affordable. For more information, please contact us.
If you have a rotator cuff tendon tear of the shoulder, consult the specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Andreas Leonidou. The doctor has 14 years of continuous experience abroad and specialises in shoulder arthroscopy.
Book your appointment for immediate diagnosis, specialist care, and targeted treatment in just one visit.