Arthroscopic Surgery Can be Beneficial for Treating First-Time Shoulder Dislocations

Athletes are more prone to shoulder dislocations; upper arm bone gets removed from the cup-shaped socket.
Despite proper strengthening and rehabilitation using non-surgical treatments, shoulder dislocations tend to reoccur
Arthroscopic bankart surgical treatment for first-time shoulder dislocations could lower the risk of recurrence

Dislocation of a shoulder is a common occurrence as the joint is one of the most mobile parts of the body. Athletes are more prone to shoulder dislocations; upper arm bone gets removed from the cup-shaped socket. The joint can easily dislocate due to traumatic injuries such as falling on an outstretched arm, forceful throwing, sudden blow and forceful contact with another player.

Young athletes are more susceptible to shoulder joint disability and recurrences. A dislocated shoulder requires immediate attention and emergency room physicians examine the injury. Some of the common non-surgical treatments for dislocated shoulder include closed reduction, immobilization and medications.

Dislocated Shoulder - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
A dislocated shoulder is an injury which causes your upper arm bone to slip out of its socket.

‘People experiencing shoulder dislocation for the first time can benefit by undergoing arthroscopic surgery initially than other non-operative treatments.’

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Closed reduction involves external manipulation of the bone and joint without surgical intervention. Immobilization of the shoulder by placing it into a sling can help in healing. Common painkillers are also provided to relieve pain.

Despite proper strengthening and rehabilitation using non-surgical treatments, shoulder dislocations tend to reoccur. Therefore, a recent study presented at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs revealed that arthroscopic bankart surgical treatment for first-time shoulder dislocations could lower the risk of recurrence and eliminate the need for follow-up surgery.

Arthroscopic surgery uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope, which is inserted through a small incision in the skin to repair the tissues around the shoulder joint.

Rotator Cuff Injury - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention
Rotator cuff injury can be a tendinitis, a strain, or a tear of the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff is made up of four tendons that fuse to surround the shoulder joint.

Researchers examined 121 patients aged 16-30 years who had arthroscopic surgery for 51 months. Among them, 68 patients had experienced their first dislocation, while 53 had recurrent dislocations after being initially treated non-operatively.

After treatment with an arthroscopic bankart repair, researchers found that the postoperative dislocation rate dropped to 29% from 62% among those who did not undergo surgery immediately after their first shoulder dislocation.

Treating Shoulder Pain in Baseball Pitchers is Difficult
Shoulder pain in baseball pitchers and other throwing athletes cannot be treated the way doctors, patients and coaches think it would benefit them.

Compared to patients who were treated not-operatively initially and those who experienced repeated dislocation before surgery, patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery showed better outcomes.

Therefore, researchers suggested that physicians should counsel those with first-time injuries on the benefits of arthroscopic surgery as the initial treatment for shoulder dislocations.

Hip Arthroscopy is an Effective Treatment For Hip Impingement
Patients did well after having arthroscopic surgery for painful hip impingement, but outcomes varied slightly depending on a patient's age and sex.

"Deciding between a non-operative program or going forward with surgery can be a challenging decision for medical professionals treating shoulder injuries in young athletes," noted the study's lead author Tyler J. Marshall, from Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports in Birmingham.

"However, this study shows a substantial benefit for athletes undergoing surgery to prevent recurrent instability down the road," he added.

References:

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. "Treating first time shoulder dislocations with surgery can benefit young athletes." ScienceDaily, 7 July 2016.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Recurring shoulder instability injuries likely among young athletes playing contact sports." ScienceDaily, 1 August 2012.
Dislocated shoulder - (https:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dislocated_shoulder)

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Arthroscopic Surgery Can be Beneficial for Treating First-Time Shoulder Dislocations - Recent Study