Sports Medicine Surgery · Kennewick, WA
Shoulder Dislocation Surgery — Stable. Strong. Back in Play.
Fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon specializing in shoulder stabilization for athletes with recurrent instability in the Tri-Cities, WA.
What is it?
A shoulder that keeps dislocating needs a structural fix.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and that mobility comes at a cost. When the ball of the humerus pops out of the socket (glenoid), it tears the labrum (the cartilage ring that deepens and stabilizes the socket). This is called a Bankart lesion.
After a first dislocation, the risk of redislocation is high — especially in young athletes. Without surgical repair, the shoulder will likely dislocate again, each time causing more damage to the labrum, cartilage, and bone.
Arthroscopic Bankart repair restores the labrum and capsule, dramatically reducing the risk of future instability and returning athletes to full contact sports.
Signs of shoulder instability
- Shoulder "popping out" during sport or daily activity
- Feeling of apprehension when reaching overhead or behind
- Recurrent subluxation (partial dislocation)
- Pain and weakness with throwing, contact, or overhead motion
- First dislocation in a young athlete (under 25)
MRI with contrast (MR arthrogram) best evaluates labral tears and capsular injury.
Who needs surgery?
When stabilization surgery makes sense.
Not every first-time dislocation requires immediate surgery — but for active athletes, the evidence is clear: early repair leads to better outcomes and lower re-dislocation rates.
01
Young Athletes (<25)
The re-dislocation rate after first-time dislocation in young contact athletes is 80–90% without surgery. Early Bankart repair dramatically reduces this risk.
02
Recurrent Instability
Multiple dislocations cause progressive bone loss and capsular damage. Surgical stabilization is strongly indicated before further structural damage occurs.
03
Contact Sports Athletes
Football linemen, wrestlers, rugby, and hockey players who need reliable shoulder stability for overhead and contact situations benefit most from early surgical repair.
The procedure
Arthroscopic Bankart repair — restoring what was torn.
Bankart repair is performed arthroscopically through three small incisions. Dr. Kelly reattaches the torn labrum and tightens the stretched capsule using suture anchors placed in the bone.
The procedure takes approximately 45–75 minutes as outpatient surgery. You go home the same day in a sling. Most athletes are in physical therapy within the week.
For patients with significant bone loss on the glenoid or humerus, additional procedures may be required (Latarjet procedure, remplissage). Dr. Kelly will identify this pre-operatively and discuss your plan.
Imaging & bone loss assessment
CT scan quantifies glenoid bone loss. MR arthrogram evaluates labral and capsular damage. This determines whether Bankart repair alone is sufficient.
Outpatient surgery (~45–75 min)
Arthroscopic labral reattachment and capsular tightening. Three small incisions. Same-day discharge in a sling.
Sling & early PT (0–6 weeks)
Sling worn 4–6 weeks. Pendulum exercises and early motion begin in the first week. Focus on protecting the repair while preventing stiffness.
Return to contact sport (5–6 months)
Throwing athletes return at 4–5 months. Full contact sport typically at 5–6 months, guided by strength and stability testing.
Why Dr. Kelly
"I've been the patient I now treat — I know what it takes to compete, and I know what it takes to get back."
Fellowship-trained at the University of Missouri, Dr. Kelly served as team physician for Division I programs including football, basketball, and baseball — treating the same injuries at the highest level of college athletics. He came home to the Tri-Cities to bring that same standard of care to every patient he sees.
Mizzou
D1 team physician — football, basketball, baseball. Highest-level sports medicine training.
Fellowship
Orthopedic sports medicine fellowship, University of Missouri. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
All-State
Three-sport All-State athlete at Pasco High — he understands what it means to compete and what it takes to return.
FAQ
Common questions about shoulder instability surgery.
Should I have surgery after my first shoulder dislocation?
For young athletes under 25 in contact or overhead sports, current evidence supports early surgical stabilization after a first dislocation. The re-dislocation rate without surgery is 70–90% in this group. For older, lower-demand patients, non-surgical management with rehabilitation is a reasonable first approach.
How long until I can return to football or contact sport?
Most contact athletes return to full practice at 5–6 months after Bankart repair. Throwing athletes (baseball, quarterback) may be cleared earlier, at 4–5 months. Dr. Kelly uses objective strength and stability criteria — not just time — to determine readiness.
What is the re-dislocation rate after Bankart repair?
Arthroscopic Bankart repair results in re-dislocation rates of approximately 5–15% in well-selected patients. This compares favorably to 70–90% re-dislocation rates without surgery in young contact athletes. The key is proper patient selection and technique.
Does Dr. Kelly do shoulder instability surgery in Kennewick?
Yes. Dr. Kelly performs arthroscopic Bankart repair and shoulder stabilization surgery at Tri-City Orthopedics in Kennewick, WA, serving patients from the Tri-Cities and surrounding region.
Shoulder instability holding you back?
Request a consultation with Dr. Kelly at Tri-City Orthopedics in Kennewick — serving Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and the surrounding area.