Capsular Shift Shoulder Surgery

» Request a referral to a capsular shift shoulder surgeon at John C. Lincoln

As a ball-and-socket joint, the head of the arm bone (humerus) forms the "ball" that connects to the shoulder blade at the glenoid cavity, the shoulder’s “socket.” Surrounding ligaments, called the "shoulder capsule," provide the strong connective tissue that keeps the humeral head centered in the glenoid socket.

When the ligaments are stretched, due to repetitive overhead motion, capsular shift may occur. In effect, looser ligaments are less capable of maintaining shoulder stability. Through capsular shift shoulder surgery, ligaments of the shoulder can be re-tightened.

As the following video demonstrates, capsular shift shoulder surgery involves identifying stretched ligaments and "pleating" them, or folding them inwardly. Nearby healthy ligament tissue is stitched together with sutures.

The orthopedics departments of John C. Lincoln Hospitals invite you to watch this overview of capsular shift shoulder surgery.