Arthroscopic stabilization for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation: results of 59 cases

Fifty-nine patients with recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder underwent the Morgan arthroscopic stabilization with transglenoidal suture of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. All patients were followed-up for an average of 49 months (range, 29 to 71 months). Using Rowe's scoring system, the overall objective results were disappointing. There were 33% excellent results, 9% good, 9% fair, and 49% poor. Twenty-six patients had a further dislocation, and 3 others had recurrent subluxation on average 13 months after the operation. The failures were associated with a preoperative clinical finding of inferior hyperlaxity as demonstrated by a positive sulcus sign, a preoperative radiological finding of a bony lesion on the anterior edge of the glenoid, or an arthroscopic finding of extended ligamentous lesions at the time of operation. The results of this study are clearly worse than those reported by other investigators. Direct comparison between the reported studies is problematic and is discussed. It was concluded that arthroscopic stabilization should only be performed by interested specialists as part of controlled clinical trials.