What is it?

Recurrent shoulder dislocation is the repeated displacement of the humeral head from the glenoid (shoulder socket) following a primary dislocation. Damage to stabilizing structures—such as the labrum, capsule, ligaments, or bony surfaces—allows the joint to dislocate again with less force.

Causes

• Previous shoulder dislocation or trauma
• Ligamentous laxity or generalized hypermobility
• Sports involving overhead motion or contact (throwing sports, wrestling, etc.)
• Structural injuries such as labral tears (Bankart lesion) or bone loss of the glenoid/humeral head

Symptoms

• Episodes of the shoulder “giving way” or slipping out
• Persistent pain, weakness, or reduced function
• Clicking, catching, or a popping sensation
• Apprehension or fear with certain movements

Diagnosis

Diagnosis includes a thorough history and physical examination (instability tests such as apprehension and relocation), plain radiographs to evaluate alignment and fractures, MRI or MR arthrogram to detect labral/soft-tissue injuries, and CT when detailed assessment of bone loss is required.

Treatment

Non-surgical

• Activity modification to avoid provocative positions
• Structured physiotherapy focusing on rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers, proprioception, and movement retraining
• Short-term immobilization only when indicated
• Bracing or taping in selected situations

Surgical

• Arthroscopic Bankart repair — reattach torn labrum and tighten the capsule
• Capsular plication/shift — tighten capsular laxity
• Latarjet procedure — bone transfer for significant anterior glenoid bone loss
• Procedures addressing humeral head defects (e.g., remplissage) or bone grafting for large lesions

Choice of procedure depends on age, activity level, direction and frequency of instability, and presence/extent of bone loss or soft-tissue injury.

Recovery & Rehabilitation

After treatment (conservative or surgical), rehabilitation follows phased goals: protected range-of-motion and pain control initially; progressive strengthening of rotator cuff and periscapular muscles in the middle phase; and sport- or job-specific retraining in the final phase. Typical return-to-sport timelines vary but commonly range from 3–6 months depending on procedure and recovery milestones.

Prevention & Long-Term Care

• Treat the first dislocation appropriately to lower recurrence risk
• Maintain shoulder and scapular strength with regular exercises
• Avoid extreme abduction–external rotation positions until strength/control are restored
• Seek prompt follow-up if instability symptoms recur