A dislocated joint is painful. Even though your joints are designed to naturally flex and move, dislocation happens when a joint is forced out of its natural alignment.
Any joint can get dislocated, and among adults, dislocated shoulders are by far the most common. A dislocated shoulder can go back into place on its own, but a severe injury or recurrent dislocation could be a sign of shoulder instability that requires professional care.
At Manhattan Orthopedics, our surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating dislocated shoulders with arthroscopy. Here’s what you need to know about this innovative, minimally invasive procedure and whether it’s right for you.
Shoulder dislocations often occur with sports injuries or other types of traumatic impact, like a car accident or a fall. Like any injury, dislocated shoulders range in severity, and our team starts by evaluating the extent of your condition.
We ask questions about your symptoms and review your medical history, including any past shoulder injuries. A history of shoulder injury and dislocation could mean you have shoulder instability, which puts you at risk for more injuries in the future.
If you have a mild dislocation, we may be able to put the joint back into proper position with a procedure known as closed reduction. Before readjusting your joint, we may administer medication to help keep you comfortable.
If you have chronic shoulder instability or you suffered damaged ligaments along with dislocation, you may be a good candidate for arthroscopic surgery to repair your injury.
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that utilizes a tiny camera and small surgical instruments. Our team can repair damaged ligaments and strengthen shoulder stability using arthroscopic techniques, making it a good option for many people with severe shoulder dislocations.
We make a small incision in your shoulder and insert the surgical camera. The camera projects images of your shoulder joint in the operating room, so we can make the necessary repairs without large incisions.
Though no one likes the thought of undergoing surgery, arthroscopy is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat your dislocated shoulder. The benefits of arthroscopic surgery include:
After your procedure, we develop a recovery plan for you to follow. You need to rest your shoulder for a period of time, then gradually reintroduce activity with specialized physical therapy stretches and exercises.
Rehabilitation helps strengthen your shoulder. As you recover, you can expect reduced pain and better shoulder stability, which lowers your risk of future injury.
Arthroscopy could be an important piece of your recovery from shoulder dislocation. Call to schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Astoria, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, New York, or request an appointment online now.
