Arthroscopic findings in the subluxating shoulder

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Arthroscopy

Background:

• Clinical diagnosis of shoulder subluxation relies on history, but physical findings and imaging are often inconsistent.
• Subtle glenohumeral instability presents diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe arthroscopic findings in shoulders with subluxation.
• To evaluate the accuracy of arthroscopy in diagnosing shoulder subluxation and guiding surgical treatment.

Main Methods:

• Arthroscopic examination of 19 shoulders (18 patients) diagnosed with subluxation.
• Correlation of arthroscopic findings with clinical history and physical examination.

Main Results:

• Consistent arthroscopic findings included anteroinferior glenohumeral ligament attenuation, leading to increased humeral head translation.
• Fraying, tearing, or detachment of the anteroinferior glenoid labrum and posterolateral humeral head defects were common.
• A characteristic 'click' during subluxation correlated with labral tears and humeral head defects.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder arthroscopy is a precise tool for confirming shoulder subluxation, particularly in subtle cases of glenohumeral instability.
• Arthroscopic findings are crucial for selecting appropriate surgical reconstruction procedures.