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Reasons for Shoulder Surgery After Injury

Shoulder surgery is a technique used to repair injuries when other more conservative treatment options--including rest, activity modification and medications--do not prove effective in restoring normal function of the shoulder joint.

  1. The Facts

    • Accurate early diagnosis of shoulder injuries is vital to treatment outcomes, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. While some injuries may initially benefit from conservative treatment, others may worsen without timely surgical repair.

    Reasons

    • The U.S. National Library of Medicine cites reasons for shoulder surgery after injury that include torn or damaged ligaments, damage to the cartilage ring in the shoulder called the labrum and instability that allows the shoulder joint to slide or dislocate.

    Additional Reasons

    • Additional reasons for shoulder surgery include arthritic destruction of the joint lining, damage or tears in the biceps tendon, bone spurs, impingements that restrict proper shoulder movement and removal of loose tissue, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Rotator Cuff

    • Tearing of the rotator cuff--a group of muscles and tendons that allow shoulder rotation--is another reason for shoulder surgery, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.

    Considerations

    • The AAOS reports potential complications of surgery that include infection, numbness in the hand or arm and unusual post-surgical bleeding.

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