The Phone Call That Changed Everything

It was a rainy evening in Perintalmanna. I remember it clearly because that’s when my phone rang with a call that would become all too familiar. A young volleyball player, let’s call him Arjun, was on the line. His voice shook as he spoke.

“Doctor, my shoulder popped out again… this is the third time in six months.”

Before he finished his sentence, I already understood his journey. His story was like that of many I meet as a shoulder specialist in Kerala — a first dislocation during a game, a quick return to the field, and now a shoulder that kept giving way at the worst moments.

Arjun’s situation reflects a common struggle faced by athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even office workers. They’re trapped in the frustrating cycle of recurrent shoulder dislocations, unsure how to break free.

This blog is for them. It’s a guide that explains why the shoulder keeps dislocating, when surgery is necessary, how modern treatments work, and most importantly, how you can return to a pain-free, active life.

Chapter 1: Why Won’t My Shoulder Stay in Place?

To understand shoulder instability, you need to know a bit about the shoulder joint itself. The shoulder is designed for maximum movement, not maximum stability.

Picture this: your upper arm bone (the humeral head) is like a golf ball. And the socket (glenoid) is like a small golf tee. This structure allows you to swing, lift, and rotate your arm freely — but it also means that the ball can slip off the tee if the supporting structures are damaged.

The First Dislocation: Where It All Begins

A shoulder dislocation often starts with a sudden, forceful event:

• A fall on an outstretched arm

• A collision in a sport like rugby or volleyball

• A sudden pull or twist while lifting or reaching

In these moments, the ball pops out of the socket. This injury tears the labrum, the ring of cartilage that helps hold the ball in place. Imagine the labrum as a bumper that keeps the ball from rolling off the tee. When it tears, that bumper no longer works.

In many cases, the dislocation also causes a dent in the bone (called a Hill-Sachs lesion) or chips off part of the socket edge. This bone damage makes future dislocations even more likely.

The Domino Effect

Once the labrum is torn or the bone is damaged, the shoulder becomes unstable. Every time it dislocates again:

• The ligaments stretch further

• The bone loss worsens

• The risk of arthritis increases over time

People often tell me, “Doctor, I did physiotherapy. I strengthened my shoulder. Why is this still happening?”

Physiotherapy is essential — but it has its limits. Think of your shoulder like a door. If the hinge is broken or the screws are missing, no amount of oiling will keep the door from falling off. Similarly, if the labrum is torn or the bone is damaged, exercises alone can’t restore stability.

Chapter 2: The Breaking Point — When Surgery Becomes the Answer

Let’s return to Arjun’s story. When he visited my clinic, he was wearing a sling, frustrated and worried about his future in sports.

“Doctor, I can’t play anymore. What are my options?” he asked.

That’s a question I hear often. And here’s the honest answer: while many first-time dislocations can heal without surgery, recurrent dislocations usually need more than rehab.

The Red Flags That Surgery May Be Needed

If any of these apply to you, it’s time to see a shoulder specialist:

• More than one dislocation — If your shoulder has dislocated twice or more, the risk of future dislocations rises sharply.

• Bone loss on imaging — An MRI or CT scan shows damage to the socket or head of the humerus.

• Younger age and active lifestyle — The younger and more active you are, the higher the chance that your shoulder will keep dislocating.

Will I Need Open Surgery?

Many patients fear the idea of surgery, especially open surgery with big scars and long recovery times.

The good news? In 90% of cases, we can fix the shoulder using arthroscopy.

This is a minimally invasive method where small keyhole incisions and a camera guide the repair. The benefits are clear: smaller scars, less pain, quicker recovery, and excellent results when done by experienced hands.

Chapter 3: The Operating Room — How Surgeons Fix an Unstable Shoulder

Every shoulder is different. The choice of procedure depends on your specific injury pattern, bone damage, and activity level.

1. Bankart Repair — The Gold Standard for Labral Tears

If you’ve had a dislocation that tore your labrum but caused minimal bone loss, a Bankart repair is often the best solution.

How does it work?

Using a high-definition camera, I reattach the torn labrum to the socket using tiny anchors that dissolve over time. This restores the bumper that holds the ball on the tee.

Recovery: You’ll need to wear a sling for 4-6 weeks to protect the repair. Physiotherapy starts with gentle movements, progressing to strengthening and sport-specific drills over several months.

When can you return to sport? Usually at 5-6 months, depending on your healing and the sport you play.

2. The Latarjet Procedure — For Shoulders with Bone Loss

If the socket has lost a significant piece of bone or if previous surgeries have failed, we often recommend the Latarjet procedure.

This is a more powerful stabilizing surgery. We take a small piece of bone from the coracoid (another part of the shoulder blade) and attach it to the edge of the socket. This replaces the missing bone and creates a dynamic sling effect, helping prevent future dislocations.

The Latarjet is particularly common for:

• Rugby players

• Wrestlers

• People with large bone defects

3. Remplissage — Patching the Pothole

When there’s a significant dent in the humeral head (Hill-Sachs lesion) that could catch on the edge of the socket, we use a Remplissage procedure.

This technique involves filling the dent with nearby tendon tissue, preventing it from engaging with the socket during movement. Think of it like filling a pothole so your car doesn’t keep hitting it.

4. Open Surgeries — Rare but Sometimes Necessary

Most cases can be handled with arthroscopy or Latarjet, but in rare situations — such as massive bone loss or failed prior surgeries — open procedures like the Eden-Hybinette or Bristow-Latarjet may be needed. These involve bone grafts and are highly effective in restoring stability.

Chapter 4: The Road Back — Life After Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

Surgery is just the first step. The real journey is in the recovery process.

Phase 1: The Sling Phase (0-6 Weeks)

After surgery, you’ll need to wear a sling to protect the repair. During this time:

• You’ll start gentle pendulum exercises

• No lifting, driving, or sudden movements

• The goal is to let the repaired tissue heal

Phase 2: Regaining Movement (6-12 Weeks)

Once the healing has started:

• You’ll begin gentle stretching exercises

• Gradually increase range of motion under guidance

• Still no heavy lifting or forceful activities

Phase 3: Strength and Sport (3-6 Months)

This is when the real comeback begins:

• Progressive strengthening of the shoulder muscles

• Sport-specific drills tailored to your activity

• Return to competitive sport typically allowed at 5-6 months

I always remind patients: don’t rush the process. Proper healing and rehab are the key to long-term success.

Epilogue: A Shoulder Redeemed

Arjun followed his rehab plan diligently. Six months later, he wasn’t just back on the court — he was winning. He returned as a state-level volleyball champion, his shoulder stable and strong.

His story isn’t unique. With the right treatment, hundreds of my patients have returned to their active lives, pain-free and confident.

The Takeaway

• If you’ve had a first dislocation, don’t ignore it. Get it evaluated and follow your doctor’s advice.

• If your shoulder keeps dislocating, seek help early. Recurrent dislocations won’t heal on their own.

• Modern shoulder surgery is safe, effective, and minimally invasive. Don’t let fear delay your recovery.

Is This Your Story?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me,” I encourage you to take action. Shoulder instability can rob you of the activities you love — but it doesn’t have to.

As a shoulder specialist in Kerala, I’ve helped hundreds of patients break free from the cycle of recurrent dislocations. Let me help you too.

Book a consultation today — and take the first step toward a stable, pain-free shoulder.