Dislocations · Labral Tears · Bankart & Latarjet Surgery
Shoulder Instability & Labral Repair in Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah
The shoulder’s remarkable range of motion comes at the cost of stability. A hard fall skiing or mountain biking can dislocate the joint and tear the labrum, the ring of cartilage that deepens the socket, and once a shoulder has dislocated it is more likely to do so again. Dr. Hatch treats first-time dislocations, recurrent instability, and labral tears with a plan that fits your age, your sport, and the amount of damage in the joint.
Types of Shoulder Instability
- Traumatic anterior instability, the most common type, usually from a fall with the arm outstretched or a collision, which tears the labrum from the front of the socket (a Bankart lesion) and can damage bone
- Posterior instability, less common, often seen in weightlifters, climbers, and after seizures or electrical injury
- Multidirectional instability, a looser shoulder that slips in more than one direction, often in younger patients with naturally flexible joints
- SLAP tears, tears of the labrum at the top of the socket where the biceps tendon attaches, common in throwers and overhead athletes
Why Instability Matters
Each dislocation can stretch ligaments, tear more of the labrum, and wear away bone from the rim of the socket and the back of the ball. Younger, active patients have a high rate of repeat dislocation after a first event, and repeated dislocations raise the risk of long-term arthritis. That is why early evaluation matters, particularly for athletes and for anyone who has dislocated more than once.
Nonsurgical Care
A first dislocation is usually treated with a brief period of sling immobilization followed by physical therapy to restore motion and strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles that help hold the joint in place. Many patients with multidirectional instability or a first dislocation later in life do well with therapy alone. Dr. Hatch reviews your history and imaging, usually including an MRI, to gauge how much damage has occurred and how likely the shoulder is to dislocate again.
Surgical Stabilization
When the shoulder keeps dislocating, when the labrum is significantly torn, or when a young athlete wants to return to a contact or overhead sport with the lowest risk of recurrence, Dr. Hatch may recommend surgery:
- Arthroscopic labral (Bankart) repair reattaches the torn labrum and tightens the stretched capsule through small incisions, restoring the socket’s natural bumper
- Latarjet procedure transfers a small piece of bone with its attached tendon to the front of the socket, rebuilding lost bone and adding a dynamic sling of stability; it is often preferred when bone loss is significant or a prior repair has failed
- SLAP repair or biceps tenodesis for labral tears at the top of the socket, chosen based on your age and activity
- Posterior labral repair for instability toward the back of the shoulder
Dr. Hatch completed his fellowship training with surgeons who helped shape modern instability surgery, and he has published on open Bankart repair for traumatic anterior instability in teenage athletes. That background informs a careful match between the procedure and the patient.
Recovery
After stabilization surgery, the shoulder is protected in a sling for four to six weeks while the repair heals, followed by progressive motion and strengthening guided by Dr. Hatch’s Labral Repair and Latarjet protocols. Return to contact sports and skiing typically takes four to six months, once strength and control have returned. Individual timelines vary.
Risks
Risks of stabilization surgery include infection, stiffness, nerve injury, recurrent instability, and, with Latarjet, issues related to the transferred bone or hardware. Dr. Hatch discusses your individual risk profile in detail before surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
I dislocated my shoulder once. Do I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Many first-time dislocations are treated with a sling and therapy. Younger, active patients and those with significant labral or bone damage on imaging have a higher risk of repeat dislocation, and Dr. Hatch will discuss whether early repair makes sense for you.
What is the difference between a Bankart repair and a Latarjet?
A Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum arthroscopically. A Latarjet rebuilds the front of the socket with a bone transfer and is used when bone loss is significant or a prior repair has failed.
When can I get back to skiing or climbing?
Many patients return to skiing, climbing, and contact sports four to six months after stabilization surgery, once Dr. Hatch and your therapist confirm strength and control have returned.
Stop the Cycle of Dislocations
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hatch to find out how much damage has occurred and which treatment gives you the best chance of a stable shoulder.