Pre Operative Information

Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilisation

 

  • You have been diagnosed with instability of your shoulder

  • This is due to a tear to the cartilage lip (labrum) in the socket of shoulder. This causes the ligaments in the shoulder to become looser.

  • Most of the time this labral tear is at the front of the shoulder and is commonly associated with damage to the back of the ball of the shoulder joint (Hill-sachs defect)

  • This may be managed with physiotherapy.

  • The role of surgery is to stabilise the shoulder either due to recurrent instability or a high risk of recurrent instability.

  • The risk of ongoing instability is higher in young patients and those who engage in particular sports.

  • You have agreed with Mr Griffiths that the next sensible step is a keyhole operation to treat this condition.

  • This is called an Arthroscopic Stabilisation

  • This operation is usually performed as a Daycase with no need for an overnight stay.

  • It is normally performed under general anaesthetic (with you asleep) and the anaesthetist may also block the nerves of the arm.

  • The operation is performed though several small incisions around the shoulder and involves re-attaching the torn labrum back onto the bone of the shoulder socket

  • The procedure takes approximately 60-90 mins.

  • Wounds are usually closed with dissolvable stitches

  • The aim of the surgery is to improve the stability of the shoulder and help to restore the function of the shoulder.

  • There are obviously risks of the operation but these are generally small. They include infection, stiffness, scarring and incomplete resolution of symptoms. There is a small risk of recurrence or failure of the operation. The shoulder is often painful for several weeks but normally by 6-8 weeks things are improving.

  • After the operation:

    • You will see the physiotherapist prior to your discharge. They will show you how to release your arm from the sling and do specific exercises with the arm.

    • It is important to keep the arm moving within the prescribed safe range. Painkillers should be taken to facilitate this

  • You will have a follow-up appointment at 2 weeks The stitches will be trimmed prior to seeing Mr Griffiths

  • You should expect significant recovery by 6 weeks but will continue to recover for 6 months

 

Return to Functional Activities:

Driving                          4-6 weeks

Swimming                     Breaststroke - 6 weeks

                                        Freestyle - 3 months

Golf                                3 months

Contact Sport            4-6 months                  

Lifting                           Light - 3 weeks

                                       Heavy - 3 months

Work                             Sedentary - As able

                                       Manual - 3 month