From the Research
Surgery is typically recommended for anterior subluxation when there are more than 3 subluxation events, as this is associated with superior outcomes compared to chronic recurrent subluxation patients with more than 3 events. The decision for surgical intervention depends on several factors including the degree of instability, frequency of recurrence, patient's age, activity level, and associated injuries 1. Conservative management, including physical therapy, bracing, and activity modification, is usually attempted first for mild to moderate subluxations.
- Key factors to consider when deciding on surgical intervention include:
- Degree of instability
- Frequency of recurrence
- Patient's age and activity level
- Associated injuries, such as complete ligament tears or significant bone damage
- Surgical approaches vary based on the specific joint involved, with arthroscopic or open repair techniques being used to restore stability by repairing damaged ligaments, addressing bone defects, or tightening loose joint capsules.
- Recovery typically involves immobilization followed by progressive rehabilitation over several months to restore strength and range of motion. The study by 1 found that patients with Bankart lesions resulting from an anterior glenohumeral subluxation event had excellent outcomes with surgical stabilization, and that stabilization of subluxation patients with ≤3 events resulted in superior outcomes compared with chronic recurrent subluxation patients with >3 events.