Based on the results of your interview, examination, and imaging studies, you can expect a custom care plan catered specifically to you.

Many people believe it’s best to wait until pain becomes severe, leading them to “put off” or delay treatments.

If you are in constant discomfort, have shooting or stabbing pains, have limited range of motion, or an inability to perform your daily activities, labral repair may be right for you.

New technologies allow patients with shoulder pain to fully recover and enjoy the benefits of a more functional, pain-free lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you will typically receive at least 2 phone calls:

• A hospital registration representative will call to gather insurance and other personal information.
• A registered nurse will call to review your health history and medication information.

Dependent on your health history, your physician may require:

• Pre-surgical laboratory tests
• X-rays
• Primary care clearance

Pre-operative instructions will vary depending on your physician and the location of your surgery.

Always check with your physician prior to surgery.

Most physicians require patients to not eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery the next day.

Additionally, you will need a designated family member or friend to drive you home on the day you are released from the hospital. Surgical patients cannot drive themselves home.

If you schedule your surgery with a KCOA physician, you can expect the following on surgery day: 

• A receptionist will check you in at the hospital registration desk.
• A nurse will take you back and prepare you for surgery. They will start an IV, prepare the surgical site, and review your medical history and medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to your operation.
• The surgical team will take you to the operation suite for surgery.

For your labral repair in Kansas City, your surgeon will most commonly use a technique called shoulder arthroscopy. Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to see inside the joint.

A small tube with a camera is inserted through a minor incision, allowing the surgeon to make a more definitive diagnosis, and eliminating the need for a large surgical incision to repair or trim the damaged tissue.

We typically use arthroscopy to make a diagnosis when X-rays and other imaging tools do not provide answers. In some cases, like with a torn or damaged labrum in the shoulder, KCOA physicians use arthroscopy to treat orthopedic conditions.

During your shoulder arthroscopy in Kansas City, you will remain under general anesthesia. After creating a small incision, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera (arthroscope) into the shoulder joint, giving them a clear guide for the surgical instruments. Saline-based fluid flows through the arthroscope to keep the image clear and bleeding minimal.

After assessing the injury and condition, your surgeon will begin the repair. Depending on the extent or type of labral tear, your physician will choose to repair the damaged tissue or trim any frayed edges to ensure the area is smooth and congruent with the bony structures.

The labral tissue is very delicate and these types of repairs require the skill of a physician with superior training and experience, like our care team at KCOA.

After your surgery, you will remain in the recovery room before being discharged. Our experienced clinical team will monitor you during this recovery and provide pain relief medication, if needed.

Repairing a rotator cuff is a significant procedure which often needs a few weeks to a few months for your shoulder to fully recover.

Because of its proximity to the head and neck and the concentration of nerve endings, shoulder surgeries can cause quite a bit of discomfort. Therefore, after surgery, the shoulder is often very sore, achy, and painful.

This is expected. Keep in mind, the shoulder joint is more complicated than the knee due to its structure and mobility, which is why recovery usually takes longer. Most people are in a sling for at least 6 weeks with a labral repair, but for more severe cases, it may be extended to 2 months.

As time passes, you will gradually notice an improvement for up to a year.

To prevent further injuries, it’s important to maintain good posture (ensuring the shoulder is in a good position relative to the scapula), focus on core strength, and promote healthy mobility of the thoracic spine.

We recommend regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic.

Staying active and following the instructions of your providers are the keys to a successful recovery from a shoulder labral repair.