A 25-year-old state-level kabaddi player from Maharashtra, Nagindra Kura, has made a remarkable return to the competitive arena after a gruelling six-year battle with recurrent shoulder dislocations. Her successful comeback was made possible through a specialised surgical procedure followed by disciplined rehabilitation.
The Long Struggle with a Debilitating Injury
For six years, Nagindra Kura endured the pain and instability of multiple shoulder dislocations. The injuries, which she often ignored during intense training sessions, eventually began to severely impact her daily life. "Things came to such a point that I suffered multiple dislocations and that affected my daily routine, sleep and even ability to perform on the court," Kura recounted. The problem reached a critical stage, threatening to end her sporting career prematurely.
According to Dr. Abhay Kulkarni, a specialist shoulder and sports injury surgeon at Sahyadri Hospitals, her condition was a classic case seen in contact sports. "Her injuries were a combination of repetitive stress from intense training, sudden trauma during matches, and lack of rest — risk factors common to contact sports like kabaddi," he explained. Dr. Kulkarni noted that shoulder dislocations are particularly prevalent among young adults due to their high involvement in sports and strenuous physical activities.
A Surgical Solution and Road to Recovery
In March 2024, a detailed medical evaluation including a CT scan and MRI revealed the extent of the damage. Doctors identified that Kura had suffered significant bone loss of approximately 20% in her shoulder socket. This substantial erosion made standard ligament repair techniques unsuitable for her case.
The medical team opted for a Mini-Open Latarjet procedure. This advanced surgical technique involves using a small bone and muscle graft to stabilise the shoulder joint and prevent future dislocations. Following the surgery, Kura embarked on a structured rehabilitation programme under the guidance of expert physiotherapists.
Her dedication to recovery paid off. Within six months, she had resumed full-scale practice and was ready for matches. "In January this year, in the competition organised by the Pune Kabaddi Association, I was able to participate and my club Raja Shiv Chhatrapati Sanstha bagged first place," Kura shared proudly. She has since participated in selection trials for district and state-level kabaddi associations, with her sights set on the 2026 season.
Understanding and Preventing Shoulder Injuries in Sports
Dr. Kulkarni provided crucial insights into why athletes are so vulnerable to such injuries. The shoulder joint, he noted, prioritises "mobility at the cost of stability." While ligaments provide support, a dislocation causes them to tear away from the bone, and they often cannot heal independently. This leads to a cycle of recurrent dislocations, further weakening the ligaments and eroding the bone.
Common causes include:
- Sports injuries in contact sports like kabaddi, wrestling, football, and cricket.
- Accidents involving two-wheelers or high-energy car crashes.
- Lifting heavy weights in the gym without proper guidance.
Prevention, however, is possible. Dr. Kulkarni emphasised supervised strengthening and balancing exercises during training as a key preventive measure. "The importance of warm-up before the game or training sessions and cooling down after is also important," he added. For athletes who undergo surgery, adhering to a disciplined rehabilitation plan is critical for restoring peak performance and preventing a recurrence.
Nagindra Kura's story is a powerful testament to modern sports medicine and an athlete's resilience. It highlights that with the correct diagnosis, advanced surgical intervention, and unwavering commitment to recovery, a return to elite sport is achievable even after years of debilitating injury.
