Shoulder dislocation — where the ball of the shoulder joint slips out of the socket — is a common injury in young athletes playing contact sports, badminton, cricket, and football. After a first dislocation the shoulder is more likely to dislocate again in younger, active people, and NHS guidance says the risk depends on your age and how well the joint heals.
Dr. Chetan M. Dojode FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) UK provides shoulder instability assessment and surgical management — including arthroscopic Bankart repair and Latarjet procedure — at Sparsh Hospital Yelahanka.
Short answer
A dislocated shoulder means the upper arm bone has come out of the socket, and it should be put back in hospital rather than by you or a bystander. NHS guidance says to go to an emergency department if you cannot move your arm or the shoulder looks out of place or has changed shape, to support the arm and not try to push it back yourself, and that recovery usually takes 6 to 12 weeks, with a full return to some sports taking up to 16 weeks or longer. Surgery such as a Bankart repair or Latarjet procedure is sometimes needed to reduce the risk of dislocating the same shoulder again, and Dr Chetan M Dojode advises on this after assessing your shoulder and scan.
Treatment Options
Keyhole repair of the torn labrum — restoring the bumper that prevents dislocation. Best for soft tissue instability without significant bone loss.
Bone transfer to the front of the shoulder socket — ideal for patients with significant bone loss or high-risk athletes. Provides bony and soft tissue stability.
Strengthening of rotator cuff and periscapular muscles — first-line for first-time dislocators in older, less active patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shoulder labral tear and how is it treated?
The labrum is a rim of cartilage around the shoulder socket that deepens it and helps keep the joint stable. It can tear after a dislocation (a Bankart tear), with repeated overhead sport (a SLAP tear) or with wear. AAOS guidance says most SLAP tears are treated without surgery first, with anti-inflammatory medicine, sometimes an injection and physiotherapy over about 3 to 6 months, and that surgery is considered if pain does not improve. Dr Chetan M Dojode assesses the shoulder and scan first and advises on arthroscopic repair when it is clinically appropriate, for example after recurrent dislocation.
Will my shoulder keep dislocating?
After a first dislocation, the risk of it happening again depends on your age, your activity and how well the joint heals, and it is higher in younger people who play contact or overhead sport. In older people, recurrence is less common but rotator cuff tears are more likely. NHS guidance says surgery is sometimes needed to reduce the risk of dislocating the same shoulder again, and Dr Chetan M Dojode will assess your specific risk and recommend treatment.
What is a Bankart repair?
A Bankart lesion is a tear of the labrum (the cartilage rim around the shoulder socket) — the most common injury causing shoulder instability. Arthroscopic Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum to the bone using suture anchors, restoring the shoulder's natural stabilising bumper.
What is a Latarjet procedure?
The Latarjet procedure transfers a piece of bone from the front of the shoulder blade (coracoid process) to the front of the shoulder socket — providing both bony buttress and additional soft tissue stabilisation. It is used when there is significant bone loss or failed previous Bankart repair.
When can I return to sport after shoulder dislocation surgery?
After arthroscopic Bankart repair: sling for 4–6 weeks, physiotherapy for 3 months, contact sport return at 5–6 months. After Latarjet procedure: similar timeline. Sport clearance is based on objective shoulder stability and strength testing, not time alone.
Does Dr. Chetan M. Dojode treat shoulder dislocations in Bangalore?
Yes. Dr. Chetan M. Dojode FRCS performs arthroscopic Bankart repair and Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability at Sparsh Hospital Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Consultation is available at both Yelahanka and Sahakar Nagar clinics.
Dr. Chetan M. Dojode
FRCS (Tr&Orth) UK · FEBOT
GMC Specialist Register
Clinic Locations
OSR — OrthoSportsRobotics Clinic / Aarna Clinic, Sahakar Nagar
1182/1, 20th Main Road, A Block,
Bengaluru 560092