What is it?

You might require stabilisation surgery if you have dislocated your shoulder.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint of the body and can easily become unstable and dislocate after an accident or injury.

This procedure repairs the lining of the damaged shoulder joint to make it stable again.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Your consultant will examine you and ask you to demonstrate certain movements to check how well your shoulder is working.

You might need some additional tests:

• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

The procedure can be performed by keyhole surgery using very small incisions or (if bone has worn away from the socket) one open incision. The torn shoulder lining is repaired back to the bone. If bone is missing from the socket, a piece of bone from the front of the shoulder can be used to replace it (latarjet method).

Shoulder stabilisation surgery is a daycase procedure. Overnight stays in hospital are generally unnecessary. The surgical procedure is usually around an hour, depending on the extent of work needed to repair the torn tendons.

If you have keyhole surgery you may be able to go home on the same day. Patients who have open surgery may need to stay overnight in hospital.