Arthroscopic bioabsorbable tack stabilization of initial anterior shoulder dislocations: a preliminary report

Twenty-six consecutive cadet athletes sustained an acute, initial anterior shoulder dislocation. All dislocations required a manual reduction for initial treatment. Arthroscopy was performed within 10 days in all patients. The Beach chair position and interscalene anesthesia were used in each case. At arthroscopy, 25 patients had an avulsion of the anterior-inferior capsulolabral complex (Bankart lesion) from the glenoid rim. One patient had a lateral detachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament from the humeral neck. Twenty-three patients had a Hill-Sachs lesion and 3 SLAP tears were noted. All Bankart lesions were repaired with a cannulated bioabsorbable fixation device. Nineteen patients, over 1 year postoperative, are the subject of this preliminary report. The average age was 19.5 years (range, 17 to 23 years). Follow-up averaged 19 months (range, 12 to 24 months). The average loss of external rotation was 3 degrees. There have been no recurrent dislocations and 1 patient has had a single episode of resubluxation. Using the Rowe point score, 16 patients were rated excellent, 2 good, and 1 fair. All of the athletes in this study have returned to preinjury performance status. Acute stabilization of initial anterior shoulder dislocations appears to be an effective treatment option in young athletes known to have high recurrence rates with nonoperative treatment. This particular technique has been safe with little morbidity.