An approach to the repair of avulsion of the glenohumeral ligaments in the management of traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability

Abstract

Between 1976 and 1985, we repaired avulsion of the glenohumeral ligaments in sixty-three shoulders (sixty-one patients) that had traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability. We describe the indications for operation, the operative technique, and the findings at the time of operation. We located thirty-seven patients (thirty-nine shoulders) for clinical follow-up (average, 5.49 years). One patient had recurrent anterior dislocation four years postoperatively, but no patient needed reoperation. The average range of motion was 171 degrees of forward elevation and 84 degrees of external rotation in abduction. According to the criteria of Rowe et al., 97 per cent of the results were good or excellent.