Traumatic Anterior Glenohumeral Instability: The Role of Arthroscopy

The static and dynamic stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint act together to ensure joint stability throughout the wide range of normal shoulder motion. These structures are functionally altered after a traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, often resulting in recurrent instability. The arthroscope has enhanced the surgeon's ability to examine and repair the unstable glenohumeral joint. The rate of recurrence of instability after arthroscopic stabilization has historically been unacceptably high compared with that after open stabilization techniques. The authors offer a treatment algorithm and suggest guidelines for the use of arthroscopic techniques in the treatment of the unstable shoulder.