As we recently reported, people who get shoulder surgery after a dislocation often don’t realize that they just don’t need it — but even worse, it could mean big problems for them.
A new study from St. Michael’s Hospital has found that only severe dislocations should get surgery, and most cases of dislocations involve the acromio-clavicular joint, which usually doesn’t require surgery or much treatment other than immobilizing the shoulder for a few months in a sling.
Dr. Michael McKee, who is an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, said in a statement: “For severe AC joint dislocations, surgery is the common practice, but there’s not much evidence to suggest this is actually the best treatment. … The main advantages of surgery are that the joint is put back in place and the shoulder appears more symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. The long-term implications of surgery for AC joint dislocation remain unclear when compared to non-operative treatment.”
But did you know that not only is there really not benefit to AC joint surgeries, but also tremendous downsides? That’s what this study claims.
The fact of the matter is, people who didn’t get the surgery got better faster: about 75 percent were back at work in three months, and just 43 percent who got the surgery returned to work in the same time period. This is based on a study including 83 patients, which were split about evenly between those who did get surgery for AC joint repair and those who did not.
But it’s not just the recovery time: major complications also factored in. The non-surgical group had just two complications, both from falls. Those who had surgery have seven major complications, including infections and loose plates.
It’s the simple reality of surgery: it should only be done with necessary, because no matter how routine it is, there is always a small risk that something can go wrong.
And even in the best of cases, there are things you won’t be able to avoid. There will be pain, although it can be managed with painkillers. There will be stiffness — often called “frozen shoulder” — in 10 percent of cases.
There are also more rare complications, like excessive bleeding or infections. Or there could even be damage to the nerves. These last complications are much rarer, and happen in less than 1 percent of cases. But it’s a risk that those who go with the non-surgial option don’t have to deal with at all.
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get the surgery — after all, many people who opt to let it heal on their own don’t like the way their shoulders look. But when you can avoid surgery, generally it’s better to do so.