Abstract
Background: Arthroscopic stabilisation surgery for the shoulder remains a controversial choice of treatment for post traumatic anterior instability. We present the results of a consecutive initial series of 50 patients who were stabilised using a knotless labral repair technique. Methods: The study group included 41 men and 9 women with an average age of 26 years. 58% were affected on the dominant side. The average duration of preoperative syptoms was 3.8 years. 72% of patients had dislocations, whilst the remainder experienced subluxations. Each patient underwent a standardised procedure by the same surgeon with a regional interscalene block and/or general anaesthesia. Anchors were placed in the 3, 4 and 5 o’clock positions. Each patient was assessed using the Constant, Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores at an average of 18 months follow up (range 12–36 months). Results: At review 95% of shoulders remained stable. One patient had a true dislocation 6 months post surgery. One patient experienced a subluxation following a direct whilst skiing. 6 patients remained apprehensive. 3 patients had minor restriction of external rotation. The average Rowe score was 90.8, average Constant score was 89.9 and the average Walch-Duplay score was 81.4Conclusions: Early results indicate that capsulolabral reconstruction using the knotless suture anchor combined with a south to north capsular shift is an effective procedure in the treatment of post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability. This procedure may be performed as a day case under regional anaesthesia and is associated with a high index of patient satisfaction with a return to sporting activities.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
