Shoulder Stabilization Surgery Dubai: Stop Recurrent Dislocations Permanently

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair & Advanced Stabilization | Same-Day Surgery | 85-95% Success

Recurrent shoulder dislocations rob you of confidence, limit your activities, and damage your joint with every episode. Shoulder stabilization surgery performed arthroscopically by Dr. Usama Saleh repairs the torn labrum and tightens stretched ligaments to restore permanent shoulder stability. As Dubai’s fellowship-trained shoulder specialist with 23+ years of experience, Dr. Usama specializes in arthroscopic Bankart repair, Latarjet procedure for bone loss cases, and capsular shift for multidirectional instability.

What Is Shoulder Stabilization Surgery?

Shoulder stabilization surgery is a procedure that repairs the damaged structures causing recurrent shoulder dislocations or chronic instability. When the labrum (cartilage rim), ligaments, and joint capsule are torn or stretched from repeated dislocations, the shoulder loses its mechanical stability, the ball slips out of the socket too easily. Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization repairs these structures, reattaching the torn labrum to the glenoid rim, tightening stretched ligaments, and restoring the anatomic barriers that keep the shoulder stable during movement.

Dr. Usama Saleh performs several stabilization techniques depending on your specific instability pattern and structural damage: Arthroscopic Bankart Repair (most common—reattaches torn anterior labrum using suture anchors), Latarjet procedure (transfers bone from coracoid to glenoid for significant bone loss cases, 90-95% success even in difficult cases), Remplissage (fills the Hill-Sachs bone defect on the humeral head to prevent engagement), and Capsular Shift (tightens overstretched capsule for multidirectional instability). The right bankart repair technique is determined by your specific MRI findings, bone loss percentage, direction of instability, and activity demands.

When Is Shoulder Stabilization Surgery Needed?

Not every shoulder dislocation requires surgery. Dr. Usama evaluates each patient comprehensively before recommending surgical stabilization. When is shoulder stabilization needed depends on age, injury mechanism, structural damage, activity level, and recurrence risk.

Surgery Typically Recommended When:

Recurrent shoulder dislocations (2+ episodes) · First-time dislocation in young athletes under 25 · Significant labral tear (Bankart lesion) on MRI · Glenoid bone loss >20-25% requiring Latarjet procedure · Chronic apprehension severely limiting activities · Failed 3-6 months conservative treatment · High recurrence risk profile (young age, contact sports, traumatic mechanism)

Surgery May NOT Be Needed When:

First-time dislocation in adults over 35 with lower demands · Atraumatic multidirectional instability responding to therapy · Very first treatment attempt (therapy should be tried) · Patient preference to avoid surgery with tolerable symptoms · Medical conditions making surgery high-risk

Preparation Before Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

Proper preparation optimizes your surgical outcome and shoulder stabilization recovery time. Dr. Usama’s team guides you through every pre-operative step.

Home preparation: arrange overnight helper, set up reclined sleeping area (cannot lie flat 4-6 weeks), prepare button-front shirts, stock easy-to-prepare meals. Sleeping after shoulder stabilization surgery requires proper preparation.

4-6 Weeks Before

Surgical consultation · MRI and CT review · Technique confirmed · Realistic expectations · Instructions provided

3-4 Weeks Before

Medical clearance · Blood work · EKG if over 50 · Diabetes optimization · Insurance pre-authorization

2-4 Weeks Before

Stop blood thinners · Stop supplements · STOP SMOKING · Pre-hab PT if indicated

Day of Surgery

Arrive 1.5-2hrs early · Nil by mouth from midnight · Driver mandatory · Bring IDs and insurance

Benefits of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

Step 1 Anesthesia & Positioning (15-20 min)

General anesthesia + interscalene nerve block numbing shoulder 12-18hrs. Beach-chair or lateral positioning. Surgical site marked and sterilized.

Step 2 Portal Creation & Diagnostic Arthroscopy (10-15 min)

3-4 small portals created. Arthroscope inserted for HD inspection. Confirms Bankart lesion location and size, Hill-Sachs defect, glenoid bone loss %, capsular stretching. Surgical plan confirmed.

Step 3 Labral Mobilization & Bone Preparation (15-20 min)

Torn labrum mobilized from scar tissue. Glenoid rim bone surface prepared, roughened to create bleeding surface promoting biological healing. Number and position of suture anchors determined. Critical for successful arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Step 4 Anchor Placement & Labral Repair (30-45 min)

Strong suture anchors (3-5) inserted into glenoid rim. High-strength sutures passed through torn labrum. Labrum reattached to anatomic position using arthroscopic knot-tying. Capsule plicated (tightened). Anatomic bumper restored.

Step 5 Additional Procedures If Needed (10-30 min)

Remplissage: posterior capsule sutured into Hill-Sachs defect if large. Latarjet procedure: coracoid bone transferred to anterior glenoid if bone loss >20-25%. Capsular shift: capsule tightened all directions for multidirectional instability. All pathology treated in single surgery.

Step 6 Final Inspection & Closure (10 min)

Systematic final inspection ensuring secure labral repair, adequate capsular tensioning, full passive ROM. Incisions closed with absorbable sutures. Waterproof dressings. Arm placed in immobilization sling.

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

60–90 minutes

Bankart + Remplissage

90–120 minutes

Latarjet / Revision

120-180 minutes

Benefits Of Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

Permanent Shoulder Stability

85-95% achieve permanent shoulder stability after arthroscopic Bankart repair, no more dislocations, no more apprehension. Shoulder stabilization surgery success rate for primary repairs with minimal bone loss: 90-95%. Even Latarjet procedure for difficult bone loss cases: 90-95% success.

Return to Sport and Work

Return to sport after shoulder stabilization: 85-95% of athletes return to pre-injury level. Contact sports cleared 6-9 months. Return to work: desk jobs 1-2 weeks, manual labor 3-6 months. Full confident activity without worry.

Prevention of Progressive Damage

Each dislocation causes more labral damage, cartilage injury, and bone loss. Early shoulder dislocation surgery stops this destructive cycle before irreversible arthritis develops. Protecting your joint for decades.

Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery instability through tiny incisions delivers: significantly less pain, same-day discharge (no hospital stay), faster return to activities, minimal scarring, lower infection risk, preserved muscle.

Risks & Possible Complications

Dr. Usama believes in complete transparency about shoulder stabilization surgery complications. Overall serious complication rate: less than 5% for arthroscopic stabilization by experienced surgeons.

Recurrent Instability / Re-Dislocation (5-15%)

Shoulder may dislocate again after surgery. Recurrence after shoulder stabilization lower with proper technique, adequate bone stock, good tissue quality, patient compliance. Risk higher with bone loss >20%, revision surgery, contact sport, non-compliance. Latarjet procedure has lowest recurrence rate (5-10%).

Stiffness and Loss of Motion (10-20%)

Some motion loss common especially external rotation (10-15 degrees typical). Most find acceptable trade-off for stability. Excessive stiffness 5-10%, more common in diabetics. Prevented through early physical therapy after bankart repair.

Infection (<1%)

Rare with arthroscopic technique. Minimized through sterile surgical technique, prophylactic antibiotics, antibacterial skin preparation. Treated with antibiotics.

How Dr. Usama Minimizes Risks

Careful patient selection · Meticulous arthroscopic technique from 23+ years fellowship training · Pre-op smoking cessation and diabetes optimization · Structured rehab with experienced therapists · Close post-op monitoring

Recovery & Rehabilitation

Shoulder stabilization surgery recovery follows a structured 4-phase protocol. Shoulder stabilization recovery time depends on surgical technique, tissue quality, compliance, and activity goals. Bankart surgery recovery time for complete strength return: 6-12 months.

Phase 1Protection

Weeks 0-6

Sling immobilization continuous. Passive ROM only. Pain management with nerve block then oral meds. Ice therapy. Sleeping after shoulder stabilization surgery requires reclined position. CRITICAL phase—moving too early risks repair failure.

Phase 2 Active Motion

Weeks 6-12

Sling weaning begins. Active-assisted ROM introduced. Passive stretching prevents stiffness. Light isometric strengthening late phase. Driving after shoulder stabilization typically 6-8 weeks. Desk work return possible.

Phase 3 Strengthening

Weeks 12-20

Progressive resistance exercises. Physical therapy after bankart repair intensifies with functional patterns. Sport-specific rehab for athletes begins. Light manual work possible end of phase. Strength returns noticeably.

Phase 4 Return to Activity

Weeks 20-24+

Advanced conditioning and sport-specific work. Return to sport after shoulder stabilization cleared at 90%+ strength, full ROM, functional testing passed, psychological readiness. Contact sports: 6-9 months. Full activity: 6-12 months.

Recovery & Healing Time

Activity
Return Timeline
Notes
Desk / office work
1-2 weeks
As soon as pain allows
Driving after shoulder stabilization
6-8 weeks
Out of sling, off narcotics, full arm control
Light manual labor
3-4 months
Progressing strength required
Swimming
4-5 months
Excellent rehab activity
Golf / Tennis
4-6 months
Overhead motion fully restored
Contact sports (rugby, football, martial arts)
6-9 months
Return to sport after shoulder stabilization cleared
Full unrestricted activity
6-12 months
How long is shoulder stabilization surgery recovery: complete by 12 months

Why Choose Dr. Usama
For Shoulder Stabilization Surgery In Dubai

Best Shoulder Doctor Dubai — Fellowship-Trained

23+ Years as Dubai's Shoulder Specialist Doctor

Expert in How to Treat Rotator Cuff Tear — All Options

Honest — Surgery Only When Truly Needed

Frequently asked questions

Need something cleared up? Here are our most frequently asked questions.

Related Conditions & Procedures

Related Conditions

Shoulder Instability Treatment, full condition overview including conservative management [link]Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment, can occur with traumatic dislocation [link]Shoulder Impingement Relief, may coexist [link]Shoulder Treatment Dubai,  comprehensive hub [link]

Related Procedures

Latarjet Procedure, bone augmentation for glenoid bone loss [link if separate page]Shoulder Arthroscopy, minimally invasive technique overview [link]Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery, if torn simultaneously [link]

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