A review of the Bristow operation for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation in athletes

Twenty-four recurrent dislocating shoulders, in patients ranging from 15 to 26 years, were evaluated after surgical treatment using the Bristow procedure. The operative procedure is discussed in detail recommending the use of an A-O malleolar compression screw, because of ease in insertion, to fix the caroacoid process to the anterior scapular neck. The Bristow procedure as described is an effective operation for achieving shoulder stability while maintaining nearly a complete range of motion in most cases. There was one case of recurrent dislocation after surgery which is described in detail. Six of 24 shoulders demonstrated some loss of external rotation, with the maximum being only 10 degrees. Five of 9 patients had some difficulty in throwing when the dominant extremity was treated. This did not appear to be related to any possible decrease in external rotation.