Radiographic evaluation of the modified Bristow procedure for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder

Concerning the radiological evaluation of the modified Bristow procedure in the operative treatment of recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder, several aspects are of importance. In the first place, the position of the coracoid transplant and the screw used to fix it with should be underneath the equator of the humeral head and within 1 cm of the glenoid rim. Secondly, bony union appears to take place in most instances in which the screw has enough length to reach the posterior cortex of the scapular neck. However, when the screw is too short, in most cases a fibrous union develops. These features can be demonstrated on three routine radiological examinations: the anatomical anterior-posterior view, the axial projection with internally rotated humerus and the axial view with the arm in external rotation.