Arthroscopic repair for traumatic posterior shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: The role of arthroscopic repair in the treatment of posterior shoulder instability remains poorly defined.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of posterior Bankart lesions.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review.

METHODS: Records were reviewed of 27 shoulders (26 patients). All of the patients were male with a mean age of 28.7 years; in all cases symptoms were preceded by a traumatic event. Fourteen of the patients had 2+ to 3+ posterior translation noted under preoperative anesthesia. The posterior capsulolabral complex was found to be detached from the glenoid rim in all cases; bioabsorbable tack fixation was used for repair.

RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 5.1 years, no patients demonstrated a range of motion deficit. Muscle weakness (grade 4/5) in external rotation was noted in two patients (8%). There was no instability greater than 1+ in the anterior, posterior, or inferior directions. The mean L'Insalata shoulder score was 90.0 +/- 13.9. The mean SF-36 physical and mental component scores were 50.4 +/- 7 and 53.9 +/- 9, respectively. Symptoms of pain and instability were eliminated in 24 patients (92%). Two patients (8%) required additional surgery after arthroscopic repair of the posterior Bankart lesion. Radiographs demonstrated that there had been no progressive glenohumeral joint degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of the posterior capsulolabral complex is an effective means of eliminating symptoms of pain and instability associated with posterior Bankart lesions of traumatic origin.