[Classification of anterior instability of the shoulder by arthroscopy - the authors clinical material.]

The authors review briefly the evaluation of anterior instability of the shoulder joint from different aspects. The objective of their work was to present different types of morphological changes, as suggested by Resch (6). During the two-year period since June 1995 so far a total of 96 patients with the clinical picture of anterior instability of the humeroscapular joint were examined arthroscopically. The group comprised 69 men and 27 women, all in productive age. Type 1 lesions according to Resch were found in 52 %, type 2 in 21 %, type 3 in 6 %, type 4 in 13 %, type 5 in 1 % and type 6 in 7 % of the patients, which is consistent with data reported in the literature. In their opinion type 5 lesions are most difficult to diagnose. A certain amount of routine is needed also to differentiate type 1 and 4 and type 2 and 6 according to Resch's classification. Conversely, they consider type 3 findings standard and unequivocal. Key words: humeroscapular joint, anterior instability, arthroscopic diagnosis, type of lesions.