FOR young athletes prone to shoulder instability or dislocation, surgery is the best option, according to research presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in Colorado.
Surgery is often a last resort, but in the case of shoulder dislocation it is a recommended solution to the problem
In a study involving 121 athletes with an average age of 19 it was shown that surgery after a first-time shoulder dislocation lowered the reinjury risks. “Deciding between a non-operative program or going forward with surgery can be a challenging decision for medical professionals treating shoulder injuries in young athletes,” said the study’s lead author Dr Tyler Marshall from Alabama Ortho Spine and Sports. “However, this study shows a substantial benefit for athletes undergoing surgery to prevent recurrent instability down the road.”