About This Procedure
Shoulder instability occurs when the structures that hold the shoulder in its socket — primarily the labrum and the joint capsule — are damaged or stretched beyond their normal limits. A single traumatic dislocation can tear the labrum (Bankart lesion), and repeated dislocations progressively erode bone from both the socket (glenoid) and the ball (humeral head), making the shoulder increasingly unstable.
Dr. Jay Levin specializes in shoulder stabilization procedures for athletes and active individuals throughout Durham, Cary, and North Carolina. He performs both arthroscopic and open stabilization techniques, selecting the right approach based on the degree of instability, the amount of bone loss present, and each patient's activity demands.
For most first-time or low-bone-loss cases, arthroscopic Bankart repair — reattaching the torn labrum to the glenoid rim with suture anchors — provides excellent stability and allows a return to high-level athletics. When significant glenoid bone loss (typically more than 20–25%) is present, the Latarjet coracoid transfer procedure provides the most durable long-term result by rebuilding the socket with bone and adding a dynamic tendon sling effect.
The Procedure
Shoulder stabilization surgery is performed under general anesthesia with a nerve block for pain control. For arthroscopic Bankart repair, Dr. Levin makes 3–4 small incisions around the shoulder. Using the arthroscope and specialized instruments, he prepares the glenoid rim and re-fixes the torn labrum using suture anchors, restoring the bumper effect that keeps the ball in the socket.
For the Latarjet procedure, an open or mini-open approach is used. A small piece of the coracoid process (a bone projection on the front of the shoulder blade) is detached along with its attached tendon (conjoined tendon) and transferred to the front edge of the glenoid socket. This simultaneously reconstructs the missing bone and adds a dynamic stabilizing effect via the tendon.
Both procedures typically take 1–2 hours. Dr. Levin reviews preoperative CT scans to measure bone loss and plan the appropriate technique before each case.
Recovery at Duke Health
Following shoulder stabilization, your arm will be immobilized in a sling for 4–6 weeks to allow the repaired or transferred structures to heal securely. Gentle pendulum exercises begin in the first week, supervised by a Duke Health physical therapist.
At 6 weeks, you will begin active motion exercises. At 3 months, progressive strengthening begins. Athletes targeting return to contact sports in the Durham, Cary, or broader North Carolina area typically reach full clearance at approximately 6 months, guided by structured return-to-sport testing.
Full recovery — including sport-specific conditioning — generally takes 6–9 months. Dr. Levin's team provides close monitoring throughout, with particular attention to the demands of each patient's sport or occupation.