This surgery involves making a larger incision than arthroscopy to repair shoulder instability and address more complex injuries. It is often necessary for severe or recurrent cases of shoulder dislocation or instability where less invasive methods have failed.
The surgery itself is painless due to anaesthesia, but post-operative pain is common. Pain management with medication and rehabilitation will be provided.
Open shoulder stabilisation surgery is highly effective for restoring stability and function, particularly in severe cases. It has a high success rate for preventing future dislocations and improving shoulder stability.
For most patients undergoing open shoulder stabilisation, you can expect to wear a sling for about 4 to 6 weeks. This period allows your shoulder capsule and repaired tissues to begin healing properly, reducing the risk of re-injury. During these first weeks, the sling helps keep your arm in a protected position, limits movement that could stress the repair, and provides comfort while pain and swelling settle down. It’s important to understand that everyone heals at a different pace. Factors like your age, overall health, the complexity of the surgery, and how well you follow your post-operative instructions can all influence how long you’ll actually need the sling. Some patients may wean off the sling a bit sooner under their surgeon’s guidance, while others might need extra time if healing is slower. Even after the sling comes off, you’ll still need to continue physiotherapy exercises to restore movement and strength gradually. Remember: never rush the process or skip your rehabilitation, as regaining full function and stability is key to preventing future dislocations. Always follow Dr. Oliver’s specific advice about sling use and rehab, as your personalised plan will give you the safest path to recovery.
Physiotherapy typically begins within the first 1 to 2 weeks after open shoulder stabilisation surgery—but only under the guidance of your orthopaedic surgeon. In the immediate post-operative period, the shoulder is usually immobilised in a sling to allow the repaired tissues to begin healing. During this phase, physiotherapy is often limited to gentle hand, wrist, and elbow movements to maintain mobility in the rest of the arm. Around the 2- to 4-week mark, a physiotherapist may begin introducing passive shoulder exercises—where the shoulder is moved with assistance but without active use of your shoulder muscles. These exercises help maintain range of motion without placing stress on the surgical repair. Active physiotherapy, including strengthening exercises and gradual functional movements, generally begins at around 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your healing progress. The full rehabilitation program can extend over 3 to 6 months, and sometimes longer for return to sports or heavy work. It’s crucial not to rush the process. Following your surgeon’s timeline and physiotherapy plan is the best way to ensure a safe recovery and reduce the risk of re-injury or instability.
The timeline for returning to sports or work after open shoulder stabilisation surgery varies depending on the type of activity, the nature of your job, and how well your shoulder is healing. For office-based or sedentary work, many patients are able to return within two to four weeks, often while still wearing a sling. However, roles that require physical effort—such as lifting, overhead tasks, or manual labour—typically require a much longer recovery, often around three to four months, and sometimes longer depending on shoulder strength and mobility. When it comes to sport, the return is more cautious. Non-contact sports like cycling or running may be possible around the three-month mark, once movement and stability have improved. However, contact sports or those involving overhead movement—such as rugby, AFL, swimming, or tennis—generally require a return to play clearance closer to six to nine months post-surgery. This ensures that the shoulder is strong, stable, and safe under load. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will assess your progress throughout rehabilitation and guide you on a safe return to work or sport. Rushing this stage increases the risk of re-injury or damaging the surgical repair.
Recovery after open shoulder stabilisation surgery is a steady, progressive journey that generally takes between four to six months for most day-to-day activities. However, returning to high-impact sports, overhead movements, or physically demanding work can take nine to twelve months, depending on how well your shoulder heals and your individual rehabilitation progress. In the early weeks, the shoulder is kept in a sling to protect the surgical repair, with very limited movement allowed. During this phase, patients often experience the most discomfort, but pain typically eases with medication and rest. As swelling settles and healing begins, your surgeon will usually clear you to start gentle physiotherapy aimed at regaining shoulder mobility. By around three months, most patients begin strengthening exercises and can manage light duties or office work. From that point forward, function continues to improve steadily, although fatigue or occasional soreness can still occur after long or repetitive use. For athletes or those with physically demanding jobs, a careful return to full activity is only recommended once strength and stability are fully restored—often closer to the nine-month mark. Throughout the recovery process, following medical advice closely is the best way to ensure a strong, stable outcome.
While open shoulder stabilisation surgery is generally safe and effective, like all surgical procedures, it does carry some potential risks. Most patients recover well, but it’s important to be aware of possible complications before undergoing the procedure. Infection is a rare but recognised risk, as with any surgery involving incisions. Surgeons take strict precautions to minimise this, including the use of sterile technique and prophylactic antibiotics. Bleeding, bruising, and swelling are also common immediately after surgery but usually settle over time. Nerve injury is uncommon, but because the shoulder area contains several important nerves, there is a small risk of temporary or, very rarely, permanent nerve disturbance. Some patients may also experience stiffness or reduced range of motion if rehabilitation is delayed or too aggressive. Another potential risk is failure of the repair, particularly if the shoulder is stressed too early or if the tissues do not heal as expected. In some cases, recurrent instability or dislocation may occur, which could require further surgical intervention. Lastly, there’s always a general risk with anaesthesia, although serious complications are rare. Discussing these risks with your orthopaedic surgeon will help you make an informed decision and prepare for a safe recovery.
Pain after open shoulder stabilisation surgery is normal, but it typically improves in stages over the weeks following the procedure. Most patients experience the most discomfort in the first 3 to 5 days, when inflammation and swelling are at their peak. During this period, pain is usually well-controlled with prescribed medications, ice, and rest. By the second to third week, pain generally begins to settle, although some soreness and stiffness may persist—especially with certain movements. As the shoulder starts to heal and physiotherapy is gradually introduced, it’s common to feel mild to moderate discomfort, particularly during stretching or exercises. This is expected and usually manageable. For most people, significant pain usually subsides by 6 to 8 weeks. However, low-level aches or fatigue around the shoulder can last for several months, especially after increased activity or longer days of use. Full recovery and pain resolution may take 3 to 6 months, depending on your individual healing response and how closely you follow the rehabilitation program. If pain increases unexpectedly or doesn’t improve over time, it's important to speak with your orthopaedic surgeon to rule out complications.
Proper preparation can make a big difference in how smoothly your surgery and recovery go. The first step is attending your pre-operative appointments, where your orthopaedic surgeon will review your medical history, current medications, and imaging results such as X-rays or MRIs. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications—like blood thinners or anti-inflammatories—a few days beforehand to reduce bleeding risk. It’s also important to organise support at home. Since your arm will be in a sling for several weeks, simple tasks like dressing, cooking, and driving will be challenging. Arranging help from family or friends for at least the first week or two is highly recommended. On the day before surgery, you’ll usually be asked to fast—no food or drink for several hours. Your hospital team will confirm the details in advance. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing that’s easy to take on and off with one hand can also be helpful. If you smoke, quitting before surgery can significantly improve healing and reduce the risk of complications. Lastly, setting up your home for recovery—like placing everyday items within easy reach—can make the post-operative period safer and less stressful.
Yes, there are important activity restrictions following open shoulder stabilisation surgery to protect the repaired tissues and ensure proper healing. In the early stages—usually the first 4 to 6 weeks—your shoulder will be immobilised in a sling. During this time, you should avoid any lifting, overhead movement, or shoulder rotation, and follow specific instructions on how to wear and remove the sling safely. Driving is generally not recommended until you have regained enough control and range of motion, which typically takes at least 4 to 6 weeks but can vary. Always get clearance from your surgeon before returning to driving. From around 6 to 12 weeks, you may begin gentle active movements and light functional activities, but heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and contact sports are strictly off-limits. High-impact or overhead sports, such as swimming, football, or weight training, are usually not permitted until at least 4 to 6 months post-surgery—and only after you’ve regained strength, mobility, and stability through physiotherapy. Adhering to these restrictions is vital to prevent re-injury or compromising the surgical repair. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist will guide you step-by-step through each phase of recovery.