Surgery for atraumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability. A modified capsular shift evaluated in 20 patients...

We operated on 20 patients with nontraumatic anterior or anterior-inferior shoulder instability by a modified capsular shift with longitudinal incision of the capsule medially and a bony fixation of the inferior flap to the glenoid and labrum in the 1-3 o'clock position. All patients had tried physiotherapy for a minimum of 1 year. The mean age at the time of surgery was 26 (15-55) years. The mean follow-up was 38 (30-54) months. All patients were examined by an independent observer. The average Rowe score increased to 91 points from 25 preoperatively. 15/20 had little, if any, limitation in sports activities. After 3 years, 1 patient suffered recurrent subluxations and another had a redislocation.