Concomitant Reverse Hill-Sachs Lesion and Posterior Humeral Avulsion of the Glenohumeral Ligament: Treatment With Fresh Talus Osteochondral Allograft and Arthroscopic Posterior Humeral Avulsion of the Glenohumeral Ligament and Labrum Repair

Abstract

Chronic posterior glenohumeral joint instability can be a challenging clinical entity for patients and surgeons alike. In the setting of a posterior dislocation, a large anterior humeral impaction injury (reverse Hill-Sachs [HS]) may occur, leading to engagement of the humerus with the posterior glenoid bone, especially during internal rotation of the joint. A reverse HS is especially debilitating because of the significant portion of affected humeral head cartilage, and is made worse in the setting of ligamentous disruption such as a posterior humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesions. Although several nonanatomic procedures to address these defects have been previously described, recent interest in anatomic reconstructions capable of restoring the cartilage surface of the humeral head has led to the use of bone grafts (autografts and allografts) to restore the articular contour of the humeral head in conjunction with anatomic repair of associated soft tissue injuries. We present our preferred technique for an anatomic repair of a posterior HAGL lesion in combination with reconstruction of an engaging reverse HS lesion using an unmatched hemitalar allograft.

Fig 1

Image of a right shoulder following preparation and draping with the patient in lateral decubitus position. The osseous landmarks of the clavicle and acromion as well as the areas of portal placement are marked prior to commencing surgery. (A, anterior portal; AS, anterosuperior portal; P, posterior portal; PL, posterolateral portal.)

Fig 2

Intraoperative image of the right shoulder with the patient in the lateral decubitus position viewing from the posterior portal. The labrum and the glenoid can be visualized. To access the posterior labrum and glenoid with an elevator, the anterior portal is used as a working portal. It is important to use the elevator to release the labrum, which is often scarred and retracted in chronic injuries. The labrum should be mobilized and fixed in the optimal position to provide stability. A fresh glenoid bony surface is necessary for healing.

Fig 3

A view of the posterior labrum and capsule of the right shoulder from the anterior portal with the patient in the lateral decubitus position is shown. The 7-o'clock posterolateral portal is a good working portal, and is used here for easy access to the posterior and posteroinferior labrum for anchor placement, suture passage, and knot tying.

Fig 4

From the anterior portal, the posterior labrum and capsule of this right shoulder is visualized with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. The working portal is the 7-o'clock posterolateral portal, which makes it easier to address the posterior glenohumeral defect and tie the necessary sutures. A suture lasso device is used to pass the sutures to repair the glenohumeral defect. The sutures are tied arthroscopically outside the joint.

Fig 5

After addressing the intra-articular pathology (labrum and HAGL), the portals are closed and draped in a sterile fashion. The patient is placed in a beach chair position to transition to the necessary open procedure undertaken to address the bone defect of the right shoulder's humeral head. (HAGL, humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament.)

Fig 6

Intraoperative image of the right shoulder showing a deltopectoral approach, which is used for exposure of the humeral head to address the Hill-Sachs lesion. A Hohmann retractor is used to hold the soft tissue away for better visualization. Following this, the subscapularis is then detached from its insertion to access the joint. The subscapularis is later reinserted using suture anchors and FiberTape with a SpeedBridge construct (Arthrex).

Fig 7

Following thorough exposure, the humeral head of the right shoulder is viewed. The bony defect of the humeral head is visualized. Prior to bone grafting, the bone defect is prepared with an oscillating saw and rongeur to have fresh flat surfaces for better fixation of the graft and optimal healing.

Fig 8

Intraoperative image of the right shoulder showing the humeral head following preparation of the defect. An “orange-slice” shape of the defect is preferred to get a press fit of the bone graft into the defect to provide optimal stability. (HH, humeral head.)

Fig 9

Intraoperative image showing the humeral head of a right shoulder following exposure via a deltopectoral approach. After preparing the defect bed on the humeral head, the defect is measured (A) prior to preparing the talus bone graft (B). When preparing the bone graft, the area with the appropriate curvature is marked to the correct dimensions. Then, an oscillating saw is used to complete the cuts and harvest the bone graft. The harvested bone graft is irrigated with normal saline to remove debris. Following this, the graft is soaked in platelet-rich plasma to stimulate integration into the humeral head and maximize healing.

Fig 10

Intraoperative image of the humeral head of the right shoulder after fixation of the talus bone graft. The bone graft is fixed to the humeral head with two 2.5-mm headless compression screws. It is important to ensure that the screws do not protrude to avoid potential damage to the glenoid. After fixing the talus bone graft to the humeral head (HH), the shoulder is taken through a range of motion to ensure that shoulder instability has been resolved. (HH, humeral head.)

Fig 11

(A) Intraoperative image of the right shoulder following exposure via deltopectoral approach showing the repair of the subscapularis. The subscapularis (SS) is sutured back onto the lesser tuberosity (LT) using FiberTape (Arthrex, Naples, FL) and suture anchors. (B) A SpeedBridge construct (Arthrex) is used to repair the subscapularis tendon. After the subscapularis repair, the shoulder is taken through a limited range of motion to ensure that the repair is stable. The subcutaneous tissue and skin are then closed in layers. (LT, lesser tuberosity; SS, subscapularis.)