Shoulder Instability

What Is the Labrum?

The humeral head rests in a shallow socket called the glenoid. Because the humeral head is much larger than the socket, a soft fibrous rim called the labrum surrounds the socket to help stabilize the joint. The rim deepens the socket so that the humeral head fits better.

How Is the Labrum Repaired?

The labrum will be repaired by making small incisions around the shoulder and by use of an arthroscope (camera) to see all the structures of the joint. Special instruments allow Dr. Cutler to sew the labrum to the correct (anatomic) position.

Length of Stay

In most cases, this is a same-day surgery. You will need to have someone drive you home after you have been discharged.

Anesthesia

Patients usually have two types of anesthesia for this surgery. The first is general anesthesia, which means you are asleep. The second type of anesthesia is a nerve block. Your arm will be numb and will feel very strange. The nerve block will last about 12 – 14 hours. The anesthesiologist will speak to you on the day of surgery. The ultimate choice of anesthesia technique is up to you and your anesthesiologist.

Incision

You will have 3 – 4 small incisions around your shoulder, about 1cm long.

Pain

You will have pain medications prescribed for you prior to discharge. After the nerve block wears off, you will have some discomfort. Most of the pain is related to your swelling. Ice is very important to help with both swelling and pain. The swelling will resolve in 24 – 48 hours. Do not take non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory pain medications such as Advil, MOTRIN®, ibuprofen, Aleve®, naproxen, or naprosyn.

Sling

Your arm will be placed in a sling prior to leaving the operating room. You will remain in the sling until you see the physician for your first postoperative appointment. This includes sleeping! The sling can be removed for dressing and showering.

Dressings

You will go home with a large foam tape dressing and gauze. On postoperative day 2, you may remove the dressings. You may see some sutures at the incision sites. The sutures will be removed at your first postoperative visit, usually 10 – 14 days after your surgery.

Physical Therapy

For the first 6 weeks of recovery, you will do gentle stretching at home. During the second half of your recovery, you will attend formal physical therapy in addition to home exercising.