Arthroscopic Glenoid Reconstruction for Chronic Anteroinferior Shoulder Instability Using a Tricortical Iliac Crest...

Arthroscopic glenoid reconstruction using a tricortical iliac crest bone graft is performed to anatomically reconstruct the glenoid and reestablish glenohumeral stability in patients with chronic anteroinferior shoulder instability and substantial osseous defects^1-3.

Place the patient in the lateral decubitus position and prepare the arm and ipsilateral iliac crest.

Perform a diagnostic arthroscopy via the posterior portal and establish an anteroinferior, an anterosuperior, and a deep anteroinferior portal.

Depending on the pathology and morphology of the defect, release the capsulolabral complex from the scapular neck and prepare the glenoid rim and scapular neck with a motorized burr to ensure adequate osseous healing.

Harvest an autologous tricortical iliac crest bone block from the ipsilateral side and contour it appropriately for an anatomic reconstruction of the glenoid.

Enlarge the passage for the graft through the rotator interval, insert the bone block, and position it anatomically at the scapular neck.

With the aid of a drill sleeve, temporarily stabilize the graft using Kirschner wires and then definitively attach it to the scapular neck using 2 Bio-Compression screws.

Reattach the capsulolabral complex to the original glenoid, inferior and superior to the bone block, using 2 knotless suture anchors to complete the anatomic reconstruction of the glenoid.

Immobilize the arm for 6 weeks postoperatively and limit flexion and external rotation during this time period.

Fifteen patients with a mean age of 31.4 years (range, 17 to 49 years) with anteroinferior glenohumeral instability and substantial glenoid defects underwent arthroscopic iliac crest bone-grafting and were prospectively evaluated for an average period of 20.6 months (range, 12 to 65 months)¹².