[Therapeutic procedure in initial traumatic shoulder dislocation (arthroscopy--limbus refixation)]

Abstract

This is a report of the therapeutic measures following primary traumatic dislocation of the shoulder in young patients (under 40 years of age). In order to rule out a disruption of the glenoid labrum, all patients were subjected to arthroscopy and disruption thus diagnosed in 38 of 48 cases. Surgical refixation of the glenoid labrum was performed on these patients. The ten patients with a stable labrum were given a Gilchrist dressing, immobilizing the shoulder for two to three weeks. Eight of the ten patients who had only had arthroscopy were followed up for an average of three years (two to six years). One developed recurrent dislocation of the shoulder. 31 of 38 patients who had had surgical refixation of the glenoid labrum were followed up for an average of 2.4 years (two to 5.8 years). None of these patients developed recurrent dislocation. Clinically, 25 patients have no pain whatsoever, while five report minor complaints, 30 patients are satisfied with the surgical outcome and only one is not.