Abstract
To compare the effectiveness of immediate open anterior capsulolabral reconstruction (ACLR) with conventional treatment in young military personnel who had sustained a first-time traumatic shoulder dislocation, we carried out a prospective non-randomised study of 34 recruit and active-duty servicemen (average, 20 years).
All patients met the following criteria: 1) an acute first- time traumatic anterior dislocation, 2) no history of impingement or occult subluxation, 3) the dislocation required a manual reduction, and 4) no concomitant fracture or neurological injury. Group 1 (16 patients) were immobilised in a sling for 6 weeks followed by an intensive rehabilitation programme. Group 2 (18 patients) underwent open ACLR within 10 days of dislocation followed by the same rehabilitation protocol as Group 1.
The average follow-up was 36 months; all patients were available for review. Twelve (75%) non-operatively treated patients developed recurrent instability all of whom required subsequent open repair. In the surgical repair group, there were no cases of recurrent instability.
Early open repair (ACLR) significantly reduces the incidence of recurrent instability in young military personnel who sustain an acute initial anterior shoulder dislocation.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Richard Buxton. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Bankton Cottage, 21 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Cupar, Fife KY15 7PY, United Kingdom
