DISLOCATION OF THE SHOULDER (BANKART LESION)

Arthroscopic Surgery

The shoulder joint is the joint with the most movement range in our body, also where dislocations are most common. The most common dislocation of the shoulder is the anterior dislocation. The moment of dislocation is usually very painful and requires medical intervention to relocate the joint back to its socket. Shoulder dislocation is mostly seen during sports, overhead activities, traumas and especially in those with high joint flexibility.

Symptoms are:

• Severe pain
• Limited motion of the shoulder joint
• A visible disfiguration of the shoulder joint
• A sense of tingling and feeling of weakness in the shoulder area.
• After the examination, X-rays should be taken to determine the condition of the joint and the direction of the dislocation. After the joint dislocation is fixed and the necessary examinations, treatment options are discussed with the patient. Many factors such as the age of the patient, the number of dislocations, occupation, the direction of the dislocation are evaluated and the most appropriate treatment for the patient is decided together with the patient.
• Although some shoulder dislocations might be treated with non-surgical options, due to tearing of the shoulder connective tissues and damage to the bone-cartilage structure, dislocations cause instability and recurrent dislocations of the joint over time. Especially in young individuals, the rate of recurrent dislocations after the first one is 95%. Therefore, surgical treatment of shoulder dislocation is required to repair the existing damage or prevent it from going further.
• Surgical treatment of shoulder dislocation is performed by arthroscopic method which protects soft tissues. It shortens the patient's postoperative recovery phase and significantly reduces the risk of infection. Arthroscopic shoulder dislocation surgery is performed with cameras and instruments which are advanced through two small incisions. The duration of surgery is approximately one hour and the procedure is usually very comfortable so after the first night painkillers are not even required.

​Post-operative:

• Usually a night of hospital stay is enough.
• It is recommended to use a padded shoulder strap for a little while.
• In this process, patients can do most of their daily work, movements other than opening the arm above shoulder level and to the side are allowed.
• Passive and restricted movements are allowed between the second and fourth weeks. In the fourth and sixth weeks, the variety of active movements can be increased.
• Physical therapy is started within the first and third weeks, depending on the severity of the injuries that accompany the shoulder dislocation. On average, physical therapy can be performed for 1 - 2 months.
• The professional rehabilitation that will be carried out is useful for restoring shoulder movements and strength. Return to sports activities is usually between months 2 and 4.
• Patients are allowed to travel by plane after 2 days.
• Necessary physical therapy programs have been organized for our foreign patients and their travel is allowed within the first week.

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