Arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability: local experiences

ST Choi, PYT Tse
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE. To review the outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation procedures for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.

DESIGN. Retrospective study.

SETTING. Regional hospital, Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Patients receiving arthroscopic stabilisation procedures for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation between 1999 and 2003.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Functional outcomes including pain, range of motion, and activity level were assessed using the Constant score. Intra-operative findings were also discussed.

RESULTS. A total of 18 arthroscopic stabilisation procedures were performed for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability. Two cases converted to open procedures were excluded from this review. The overall outcomes were good and seven patients reported a full recovery. Fourteen out of 16 patients reported minimal or no pain, and the mean Constant score was 80. There were no cases of re-dislocation and no major complication was noted.

CONCLUSION. All the reviewed patients had a satisfactory functional recovery. Therefore, we believe that the use of arthroscopic stabilisation procedure can produce a favourable outcome for appropriate shoulder pathologies.

Hong Kong Med J 2005;11:104-9

Key words: Arthroscopy; Joint instability; Recurrence; Shoulder dislocation