Duke shoulder specialists are skilled at restoring stability to dislocated shoulders or separated shoulders. When conservative measures such as the use of a sling, medication, or physical therapy do not stabilize the shoulder, shoulder instability surgery may be required.

Determining the Best Surgical Option

Our surgeons use advanced diagnostic tools including in-house x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view the cause of the shoulder instability and to create a surgical treatment plan tailored to the patient's injury and personal needs.

Surgical Options, Same Great Results

Duke shoulder specialists will help you determine if you would benefit more from minimally invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery or from open surgery.

Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

For some cases of shoulder instability, arthroscopic stabilization is appropriate for restoring stability and function to the shoulder joint.

In this procedure, small incisions are made in the patient's shoulder joint. A tiny camera and operating tools are inserted into the openings to help the surgeon view the inside of the joint and to shrink the shoulder joint capsule or repair or tighten the ligaments in the shoulder.

Minimally invasive surgery is generally less painful than open surgery and results in a faster recovery time.

Open Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

For severe or repeat shoulder instability and dislocations, open surgery may be the best surgical option.

Our surgeons make tiny incisions in the arm and repair or tighten the joint capsule, ligaments, or labrum, depending on the type of injury.

Regardless of the type of injury or the surgical treatment that is required to fix the injury, Duke shoulder specialists use the most advanced tools and procedures to ensure that patients consistently achieve positive outcomes.

Appointments with Shoulder Specialists

Call 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853) to schedule an appointment with a Duke orthopaedic provider in the Triangle of North Carolina. We treat patients in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and beyond.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Buckel, Scott L.
  • Orthopaedics
• Diehl, Lee H.
  • Orthopaedics
• Garrigues, Grant E.
  • Orthopaedics
• Moorman, Claude T. III
  • Orthopaedics
• Taylor, Dean C.
  • Orthopaedics

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Orthopaedics at Page Road
  4709 Creekstone Drive, Durham, NC 27703
• Duke Sports Medicine
  Finch Yeager Building, 280 Frank Bassett Road, Suite 317, Durham, NC 27710
• North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic
  3609 Southwest Durham Drive, Durham, NC 27707