Whether you need an arthroscopic repair or a bone‑block procedure, find the right shoulder specialist and clinic that fits your injury, sport, and timeline below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.
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Informational purposes only, not medical or legal advice. Please consult your doctor or surgeon.
Shoulder stabilization surgery repairs and tightens the structures that keep your shoulder in place so it stops popping out.
Think of your shoulder like a golf ball on a tee. It has lots of motion, but that makes it easier to slip out. After a dislocation, you can tear:
Surgery is typically done to:
Common types include:
If your shoulder keeps dislocating, time matters. Exploring a private pathway can give you more choice, control, and flexibility.
Wait times can be long in the public system, especially when you include MRI delays and specialist consult waitlists. Private clinics may offer surgery within weeks, which can mean fewer repeat dislocations while you wait.
Going private can let you:
Private pathways often provide a clear timeline so you can plan time off, rides, and rehab.
Each dislocation can cause more labrum and cartilage damage, and sometimes bone loss. Earlier stabilization can reduce the chance the problem becomes more complex.
The surgery itself is no different from what’s performed in the public system. Surgeons use the same techniques, implants, and safety standards. The operation often takes 1–2 hours (longer for Latarjet/bone procedures).
Your clinic should give you a detailed recovery plan (pain control, physio, restrictions, and follow-ups). Recovery varies depending on the procedure and your sport. Follow the protocol closely—this is one surgery where rehab rules really matter.
Some private clinics offer virtual follow-ups; others coordinate with your local providers in your home province.
Goals: Pain control, protect the repair, manage swelling.
What it’s like: Sleeping can be awkward; the sling is annoying but important.
Activities: Sling full-time (usually), gentle hand/wrist/elbow motion, short walks, wound care.
Goals: Protect healing tissue, start safe range of motion (ROM) as directed.
Activities: Physio begins (timing varies). ROM is often limited early to protect the repair. No lifting, pushing, or sudden reaching.
Goals: Gradually restore ROM, start strengthening the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles.
Activities: Sling often comes off around this phase (depends on procedure). Strength work progresses slowly and should be pain‑guided.
Goals: Build strength, control, and confidence; sport-specific training.
Activities: Return to sport depends on sport type:
Fever, increasing redness/drainage, severe worsening pain, new numbness/hand weakness, shortness of breath, or the shoulder dislocating again.
Exact prices depend on the procedure (arthroscopic repair vs Latarjet), number of anchors, facility fees, anesthesia, and whether imaging and follow-ups are bundled.
Typical range: $7,000 - $20,000+
(Latarjet/bone procedures can be higher than a straightforward arthroscopic Bankart repair.)
Insurance and financing
Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going private. For instability surgery, correct procedure selection (Bankart vs Latarjet, etc.) matters as much as technical skill.
Learn more about surgeon credentials, read How to Understand Surgeon Credentials in Canada.
Ask for their rates of:
A good program reviews the actual images (not just reports):
Choose an accredited surgical facility (e.g., Accreditation Canada / CAAASF standards) with clear emergency pathways.
You want:
Shoulder stabilization isn’t for everyone, but it becomes more likely when:
If you have frequent dislocations, are in a contact sport, or have meaningful bone loss, getting assessed sooner is smart—delays can make future surgery more complex.
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions, but common prep includes:
Prehab
Home prep
Support
Work/school planning
Practice
Individual risk varies with age, sport, anatomy (bone loss), procedure choice, surgical technique, and rehab. Discuss your specifics with your surgeon.
Watchful waiting can be reasonable if it was a single dislocation, you’re improving with physio, and you don’t have high-risk features (contact sport, significant bone loss, repeated episodes).
No, you do not need a referral for private shoulder stabilization in Canada. You can book a consultation directly with a surgeon, and they will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics.
If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us directly.
Please note: Surgency is not a clinic itself. Nor can we help with emergency situations, or provide personalized medical advice—that is between you and your surgeon. If you are experiencing acute or severe symptoms, please present to your local emergency department or urgent care centre.
Experienced orthopedic surgeon known for a patient-centred approach and technical versatility, ranging from soft tissue repair (sports medicine) to total joint replacements (knee, shoulder, hip).
