Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - What is it for

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. This is due to the fact that the glenoid, which is the cup that holds the humeral head, is shallow, thus allowing a wide range of motion. However, this shallow glenoid causes the shoulder joint to be susceptible to injury. The most common type of shoulder dislocation is an anterior dislocation (dislocated to the front), accounting for 95-97% of all shoulder dislocations, followed by posterior dislocation (dislocated towards the back) and inferior dislocation (dislocated downwards).

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Symptoms

Shoulder pain
Night pain (when lying on the affect arm)
Weakness of the arm on the affected side
Reduced range-of-motion of the affected shoulder

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - How to prevent?

To prevent another dislocation, patients should continue wearing the sling or immobilizer until it is deem safe by the orthopaedic surgeon.

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Causes and Risk Factors

A blow to the shoulder from the front
A flow to the shoulder from the back
Falling on an outstretched arm

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Diagnosis

Physical examination
X-rays of the shoulder
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the shoulder
Ultrasound shoulder
Computed Tomography (CT) if there is suspected nerve injury

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Treatments

Non-surgical option

Reduction of the dislocated shoulder, with or without sedation.

Surgical option may be offered for:

Dislocations that cannot be reduced
Hill-Sachs deformities
Bankart Lesions
Greater tuberosity fractures

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Preparing for surgery

Shoulder Dislocation and Reduction/Bankart or SLAP repair - Post-surgery care

After successful reduction of shoulder dislocation, the shoulder is kept immobilized in a sling or immobilizer. The surgeon will decide on the duration of the immobilization and when it will be safe to start rehabilitation.