Peer Reviewed Patient Education

What is MDI?

MDI refers to a multidirectional laxity of the shoulder joint with associated instability. The instability generally results from stretching of the shoulder's supporting ligaments, which leads to increased movement of the glenohumeral joint.

Will physical therapy succeed?

Research suggests that many patients (80%) will improve with physical therapy alone. The patient's diligence and commitment to a daily maintenance program is required for the best chance of success.

How much motion loss will I experience if surgery is needed to stabilize my shoulder?

Motion loss varies. The normal range of shoulder motion at 90 degrees of abduction (elbow pointing away from the body) is from 80-120 degrees of external (outward) rotation (the higher number is seen in patients who have developed increased motion for throwing sports). After a surgical stabilization, a stable shoulder will have on average about 90 degrees of external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction. Preliminary results show that arthroscopic procedures may reduce motion loss, but these are still being evaluated.

If I don't want a big incision, can this procedure be performed arthroscopically?

Arthroscopic techniques continue to evolve and improve. The short-term follow up data suggests that the success rates of arthroscopic repairs may equal those of open procedures. Although the initial results are very encouraging, further long-term studies are required to validate them.

References

At Seaport we believe in meeting patients' individual needs through comprehensive evaluation and treatment, designed to help achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. Seaport physicians take the time to know you and work with you from your initial symptoms or injury, through every aspect of your recovery. Our goal at Seaport is to enable our patients to get back to a full active lifestyle as quickly and safely possible.

Our group is comprised of various physicians whose specialties include orthopaedic surgery, treatment of the hand, knee, spine, hip, foot and ankle, physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management.