Shoulder Instability & Labral Repair in Colorado Springs
Medically reviewed by John C. Redfern, MD, Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Shoulder instability means the ball of the joint slips partly or fully out of the socket. It usually starts with a dislocation and can lead to repeat dislocations, labral tears, and, over time, arthritis. Dr. John Redfern treats dislocated and unstable shoulders in Colorado Springs with rehabilitation first and arthroscopic labral repair when the shoulder keeps giving way.
Why Shoulders Dislocate
The shoulder trades stability for motion. The socket is shallow, and a rim of cartilage called the labrum, together with the ligaments and rotator cuff, keeps the ball in place. A hard fall, a collision, or a wrenching arm-over-head injury can force the ball out, tearing the labrum and stretching the ligaments. Once torn, the labrum may not heal back in position, which is why younger patients who dislocate once often dislocate again.
Dislocation, Subluxation, or Separated Shoulder?
These get mixed up often. A dislocation means the ball has come fully out of the socket and usually needs to be put back in place. A subluxation is a partial dislocation: the ball slips part of the way out and returns on its own, often with a sense that the shoulder “popped.” Both are forms of instability and are covered on this page. A separated shoulder is different: it is an injury to the ligaments where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade (the AC joint), not the ball-and-socket joint, and is covered on our fracture and trauma page.
Types of Shoulder Instability
Traumatic anterior instability is the most common, following a dislocation toward the front. Posterior instability is less common and often develops from repetitive pushing or a fall. Multidirectional laxity means the shoulder is loose in several directions and is usually treated without surgery. SLAP tears are labral tears at the top of the socket where the biceps attaches, and are common in throwers and overhead athletes.
Nonsurgical Care After a Dislocation
After a first dislocation, treatment usually starts with a short period in a sling followed by physical therapy to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder-blade muscles that dynamically stabilize the joint. Many patients, particularly those over 30 or with multidirectional laxity, do well without surgery.
When Surgery Is Recommended
Repeated dislocations, a first dislocation in a young athlete who plays a collision or overhead sport, a labral tear that keeps catching or slipping, and instability with bone loss from the socket rim are the usual reasons to consider surgery. Imaging, typically an MRI arthrogram and sometimes a CT scan, shows the labrum and how much bone is involved.
Arthroscopic Labral (Bankart) Repair
The most common stabilization procedure is an arthroscopic Bankart repair. Through small incisions, Dr. Redfern reattaches the torn labrum to the rim of the socket with suture anchors and tightens the stretched capsule as needed. When a significant amount of bone has been lost from the socket, a bone-restoring procedure may be recommended instead, and Dr. Redfern will explain why. Surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Recovery and Return to Sport
Expect a sling for roughly four weeks, protected motion after that, strengthening by about three months, and a gradual return to sport, usually five to six months for contact and overhead athletes. Return is based on meeting strength and control criteria rather than the calendar. Timelines vary by patient.
Risks
Risks include infection, stiffness, recurrent instability, nerve injury, and the risks of anesthesia. Recurrence is more likely in young contact athletes and when bone loss is present. Dr. Redfern reviews these with every patient. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my shoulder dislocate again?
The risk depends heavily on your age at the first dislocation and your activities. Teens and athletes in contact or overhead sports have the highest recurrence rates, while patients over 40 more often stabilize with therapy. An evaluation gives you a realistic picture.
What is a Bankart repair?
A Bankart repair reattaches the torn front-lower portion of the labrum to the socket rim, usually arthroscopically with suture anchors. It is the standard procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations when bone loss is limited.
How long does a shoulder subluxation take to heal?
Most first-time subluxations settle over a few weeks with a brief period of rest and then therapy. Repeated episodes suggest a labral tear or loose capsule that may need further evaluation.
Do I need surgery after one dislocation?
Not necessarily. Many first-time dislocations are treated with a sling and therapy. Surgery is more likely to be recommended for young athletes or when imaging shows significant labral or bone injury.
How long until I can play sports again?
Most athletes return to sport five to six months after labral repair, once strength and control have recovered.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Redfern
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.