[Sports and work capacity after stabilization of recurrent shoulder joint dislocations]

Eighty-one patients (83 shoulder joints) underwent surgical procedures for recurrent shoulder joint dislocations. All patients had an extra-articular osteotomy with subcapital derotation according to Weber's technique. In all, 46% of the patients underwent additional intra-articular reconstructions. After a mean follow-up of 4.6 years, redislocations (6%) were observed only when a singular derotation technique had been used. Complications were minor (2.4%). External rotation of the operated shoulder joints was normal in most patients with a mean of 48.5 degrees. Improvement in sporting activities was seen in 80% and in working activities in 70%. The mean Constantscore was 89.2. Subacromial pain was rare and correlated with reduced scores in functional strain tests postoperatively. There was no postoperative arthritis owing to the derotation technique. Because of unrestricted rotation and early functional therapy, we observed a good indication for an additional derotation technique when a Hill-Sachs defect is evident.