Shoulder Arthroscopy for Recurring Dislocation Treatment in India

Sara Kumar, a 28-year-old software developer...

Sara Kumar, a 28-year-old software developer and avid rock climber, had her first shoulder dislocation during a climbing fall two years ago. Since then, her shoulder had dislocated five more times, once while reaching for a coffee mug, another time simply during sleep. Each incident was accompanied by searing pain, a sickening pop, and weeks of lost climbing time and work productivity. Her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Evans, explained that the initial trauma had torn her labrum (a cartilage rim that stabilizes the joint) and created a 'Bankart lesion.' He recommended a shoulder arthroscopy to repair the torn tissue and tighten the ligaments, stating that without surgery, the dislocations would likely become more frequent and easier to trigger. Sara was terrified of surgery but more afraid of losing her passion. The arthroscopy was outpatient. She remembers the anxiety of the operating room, then waking up with her arm in a sling. The first two weeks were tough, with pain and frustration at her dependence on others. However, guided by strict physical therapy, she gradually regained motion. At six months, she was back on easy climbing routes. A year later, her shoulder feels stable and strong. Emotionally, she transitioned from feeling fragile and betrayed by her own body to feeling resilient and cautiously optimistic, reclaiming not just her sport but her sense of physical confidence.