Anterior Shoulder Stabilisation Info Consent
Reviewed by Dr Kieran Hirpara, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon Last reviewed
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Video transcript
Reaching up to grab a heavy grocery bag can suddenly feel risky when the shoulder joint slips out of place. This anterior shoulder instability often develops after repeated dislocations, making everyday movements feel unpredictable. Non-surgical treatments like therapy and bracing may not provide enough relief for active individuals. The operation aims to repair the front of the joint so it stops slipping out of place. Most people find they can move freely again without the constant fear of the shoulder giving way. You will need to fast for six hours before the procedure and pause any blood thinning medicines as directed. A friend or family member must arrange to drive you home, as driving is not permitted. Please wear loose clothing and bring a full list of your current medications. You will likely undergo a plain radiograph, a magnetic resonance imaging scan, blood tests, and an anaesthetic review beforehand. These checks allow the team to see the full picture of your shoulder and help keep you safe. The surgeon performs this procedure using a keyhole approach around the shoulder. Two or three small cuts are made to insert a tiny camera and special instruments. The surgeon carefully reattaches the torn tissue and ligaments back to the bone. Small anchors are placed to hold the repair, with at least four points spaced five to eight millimetres apart. If necessary, a small piece of bone may be moved to create a protective barrier. The incisions are then closed with stitches or glue, and a dressing covers the area. You will wake in a recovery ward with a sling and dressings in place. Pain is managed with general medicines, and most people feel noticeably better within a few days. You can usually return home the same day, though some patients stay overnight. A friend or family member must stay with you for the first twenty four hours. Your physiotherapist will guide you through gentle exercises, starting with small movements to prevent stiffness. As comfort improves, you will gradually add stretching and strengthening while avoiding heavy lifting. Your care team monitors your progress closely to spot any early changes. Occasionally the shoulder may feel less secure or slip out of place, particularly after contact sports. Persistent weakness or difficulty moving the arm should be discussed at your next review. Deep, throbbing pain that does not settle with simple medicines requires an immediate call to the clinic. You should also seek urgent care for fever, increasing redness, or any sudden shortness of breath. Your surgeon and therapist will adjust your plan as you work toward building strength.
Why this operation has been suggested
Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, starts with the least invasive options that suit your condition. Patients are generally referred to our clinic by their GP; if a physiotherapist has suggested you see us, you will still need a referral from your GP in order to be eligible for the Medicare rebate. A clinic assessment establishes the diagnosis. We usually try non-operative care first and consider surgery when that has not given enough improvement.
This operation, also called arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilisation or a Bankart repair, is typically offered to you if your shoulder keeps slipping out of place (dislocating) or feels loose (instability). Your surgeon may recommend it to stop these recurrent episodes and restore stability. The procedure uses a small camera and tools through small incisions around the shoulder to repair the damaged tissues. The main benefit is to prevent further dislocations and help you return to daily activities and sports with a stable joint.
Before the operation
You must fast before your procedure. Stop taking certain medications only as your surgeon advises. Arrange a lift home and wear comfortable clothing. Bring a list of your current medicines. Your surgeon uses imaging like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound to plan the operation. This keyhole surgery uses small incisions around the shoulder, including one at the back. Most patients do not need blood tests or an anaesthetist review. However, if you have other medical conditions, you may need these checks. This ensures your safety while we prepare for your stabilisation.
On the day
You present to the hospital's surgical admissions unit, where you are checked in and prepared for theatre. You meet the anaesthetist, who will explain your care plan. This operation is done under general anaesthetic combined with a regional nerve block. You will be fully asleep for the operation, and the block — an injection that numbs the nerves supplying the arm before you wake up — provides pain relief for the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. The anaesthetist will meet you before the operation and talk you through both parts.
You are then taken into the operating theatre, where the operation is performed. You wake up in the recovery area, where nurses monitor you while the anaesthetic wears off. Once you are stable you either go to the ward or go home, depending on the procedure and your recovery. Our team ensures you are comfortable and monitored throughout this transition.
What the operation involves
Your surgeon performs this procedure using an arthroscopic approach, which means using keyhole surgery. This involves making several small incisions around your shoulder, including at least one at the back. A tiny camera is inserted through these cuts to allow your surgeon to see inside the joint clearly.
Inside the shoulder, your surgeon repairs the structures that have torn or stretched, which helps restore stability to the joint. To hold these repairs in place, your surgeon uses small anchors. The evidence indicates that at least four anchor points are used to ensure secure stabilisation. These anchors are placed 5 to 8 mm apart to minimise complications.
In some cases, your surgeon may perform a Bankart repair, which reattaches the torn labrum (the cartilage rim of the shoulder socket). If there is bone loss in the socket, your surgeon might use a Latarjet procedure. This involves moving a small piece of bone, called the coracoid, to the front of the socket and securing it with screws. This creates a bony block to prevent the shoulder from slipping out again.
The operation typically takes between 30 and 50 minutes for experienced surgeons to perform efficiently. Once the repairs are complete, your surgeon closes the small incisions with sutures and applies a dressing to protect the area.
After the operation
You will wake up in the recovery ward with your arm in a simple sling for comfort. We manage pain with general medication, and you must have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours. Most patients stay one night in hospital after this operation, though some are able to go home the same day. Keep your dressings dry and clean. You cannot drive for at least SIX WEEKS after any shoulder operation, regardless of which arm was operated on. Please see our Driving after upper-limb surgery guide for more details. Your sling comes off for exercises and washing as advised by your surgeon.
Recovery
You will likely feel soreness and swelling in the first few days after your arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilisation. This is normal. Your arm rests in a simple sling for comfort, which you remove only for exercises and washing. We do not use hinged braces or abduction pillows. Keep your arm close to your body to protect the repair.
Pain usually eases as swelling settles. You will begin gentle physiotherapy exercises to restore movement. Your physiotherapist will guide you through these steps. Do not lift heavy objects or reach overhead until your surgeon clears you. Sleep may be difficult at first; propping yourself up with pillows often helps.
Return to daily activities happens gradually. You can drive once your surgeon clears you, typically at the six-week review, regardless of which arm was operated on. See our guide on Driving after upper-limb surgery for details. Return to work and sport depends on your job demands and healing progress. Your timeline may differ; your surgeon and physio will guide you.
What can go wrong
Most patients do well, but problems can occasionally happen. Your surgeon and the team monitor you closely to spot any issue early.
If your shoulder feels like it is slipping out of place again, this is called recurrent instability. It might feel like a sudden shift or a deep ache that does not go away. You may notice a clicking or grinding sensation when you move your arm. If this happens, contact our clinic right away. We need to assess whether further treatment is needed.
Some patients experience stiffness in the shoulder joint. You might find it hard to lift your arm or reach behind your back. The joint may feel tight or restricted. Let us know at your next review if movement is not improving as expected. We can adjust your rehabilitation plan to help restore motion.
Infection is a rare but serious risk. You might notice redness that spreads out from the small incisions. The area could become warm, swollen, or increasingly painful. You may also develop a fever or feel generally unwell. If you see these signs, seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment is essential to protect your recovery.
Nerve irritation can cause unusual sensations in your arm or hand. You might feel tingling, numbness, or a burning pain that travels down your arm. This can sometimes happen if swelling presses on nearby nerves. Tell us if these symptoms persist or worsen. We will check your nerve function and guide you on the next steps.
Blood clots in the leg are uncommon but serious. You might notice sudden swelling, pain, or tenderness in your calf or thigh. The skin over the area may look red or feel warm. If you experience these symptoms, go to the emergency department immediately. Do not wait for your next appointment.
The complications table on this page lists typical rates if you want the specifics.
When to call us
Call us if you have a fever, increasing wound redness or discharge, or sudden severe pain. Go to emergency if you notice calf swelling, shortness of breath, loss of sensation, or inability to move your limb. These signs need urgent assessment. We are here to help you stay safe during your recovery.
Where to read more
This page is about the operation itself. The condition it treats — including what the evidence shows about when surgery helps and when it does not — is covered in more detail on the Shoulder Instability page.
Where to read more
This page is about the operation itself. The condition it treats — including what the evidence shows about when surgery helps and when it does not — is covered in more detail on the Shoulder Instability page.
