Labrum tear (Bankart Lesion) Surgery?

I have been through this.  I was a football/baseball player in high school.  I dislocated my shoulder multiple times in one season playing football, which led to major instability in my shoulder capsule.  This led to numerous problems when trying to go back to throwing a baseball.  I ended up having arthroscopic surgery that entailed heating the ligaments and tendons with a laser, shrinking them back down to cure the instability.  In addition, they had to reattach a ligment with an anchor.  The biggest issue with shoulder injuries is that it is often a deficiency in one part of the shoulder that leads to an injury in another part, making it hard to pinpoint where the problem stems from.

I will preface the rest of this by saying this was 12 years ago (I was 16 at the time), and I'm sure the procedure has come a long way since then. 

The surgery was a temporary solution for me.  It turns out that I had similar symptoms come back shortly after (1-2 years) and was told by a sports medicine specialist that they patients were showing signs of damaged connective tissue as a result of the laser (I don't know how wide spread this was). 

You say you have rested it for two months, but have you gone through any physical therapy programs?  I would definitely recommend trying this before any surgery.  At the very least, learn to love the "Jobe excercises".  They strengthen the rotator cuff all the way around, casusing the humeral head to tighten up in the shoulder capsule.  They can be a shoulders best friend and I still do them to this day.  I would give this 3-4 months, and if there is no improvment, then you should look toward surgery. 

I have been up and down the road of shoulder injuries.  I tore my labrum about 5 years after my first surgery and was able to rehab it with PT.  Feel free to PM me if you have anymore specific quesitons, and Google the Jobe Exercises. 

You must be very confused. You have every right to find a doctor who will take the time to explain all of your options.  My suggestion, get a second opinion.  Did you see a sports doctor?  I think that would be your first step.  Be comfortable with your doctor and from there you will be able to make a decision that is good for you.  Best of luck!

I've had both my shoulders surgically repaired. I tore my labrum on both shoulders. 1 tear was from a skiing accident about 10 yrs ago (partially torn cuff, full labrum tear), and the second one (different shoulder) was from repeated work activities (I was in the AF and I was pushing/pulling heavy pallets, full labrum tear about 7mm big). All that said, I would never hesitate getting the shoulder surgery done again.

Kevin

Thanks for the responses guys.

To answer one of your questions, I'll be playing lots of volleyball, basketball and swimming mainly.

Also, no I did not see a sports doctor. Would it be any different?

Lastly, how bad will my arm look if I get a surgery done? :S

Get it fixed.  If you are under 18 (and you said you are 17) and you have had 2 or more dislocation events you have 100% chance of dislocating again.  Won't heal on its own.  No one can guarantee you a 100% success rate but the best chance you ahve for thebest shoulder you can have for the rest of your life is to get it fixed.  I know its scary but really its the best thing for it.  It usually takes abotu 3 months to get over the surgery and rehabed.

You need an orthopedic surgeon.  Often these can be done arthroscopically so usually not a big scar or anything.  If you tell me where you live I might be able to suggest someone for you to see

Edited by Socks 2009-10-16 7:37 PM

Yeah, I've decided I will go with surgery. I still got a long way to go in life and don't want to mess up such a large part of my body.

I live in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Not sure if you'd know any good surgeons from here. The hospital doctor (I didn't do to my family doctor, straight to the hospital) said he'd have one of the surgeon doctors at the hospital call me to schedule an appointment but I'm not sure how good they'd be.

Last question: If surgery is delayed (let's say I wait 3 months) but I don't stress the shoulder over the time, will there be any disadvantages?


Edited by Anakin_k 2009-10-16 11:32 PM

I'll let those with experience answer the serious questions, but as to how it will look, don't worry. Chicks dig scars. Good luck!