What is the Shoulder Joint and Why Is It Important?
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that lets you lift, rotate, and move your arm in many directions. It's made of:
The humerus (upper arm bone, or "ball")
The glenoid (part of the shoulder blade that acts as the "socket")
Muscles, ligaments, and cartilage that help hold everything in place
These structures work together to keep your shoulder stable and functional during everyday activities and sports.
When the shoulder dislocates, it can damage the bone or surrounding tissues. One type of injury is called a Hill-Sachs lesion, which is a dent or defect on the back of the humeral head (ball). If this dent catches on the edge of the socket, it can lead to repeated dislocations.
Why Is the Remplissage Procedure Done?
The remplissage (French for "filling") procedure is done to treat shoulder instability, especially in people with a Hill-Sachs lesion.
It’s typically done alongside another procedure, such as a labrum repair, and helps:
Prevent dislocations
Stabilize the joint
Fill in the dented area of the bone to stop it from catching on the socket
How Is the Procedure Done?
Remplissage is done arthroscopically, meaning with small incisions and a camera.
Here’s a simple overview:
Small Camera and Tools – The surgeon makes tiny incisions and inserts a small camera and tools into the shoulder.
Identify the Defect – They find the Hill-Sachs dent on the back of the ball (humerus).
Filling the Dent – The surgeon stitches a nearby tendon (called the infraspinatus) and capsule into the dented area.
Tissue Heals into Place – Over time, this fills the defect and prevents it from engaging with the socket during movement.
This extra support helps keep your shoulder in place and reduces the chance of it popping out again.
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