Abstract
Aims: In this prospective study, we examined the value of capsular shrinkage in the arthroscopic stabilization of the posttraumatic antero-inferior instability of the shoulder.
Methods: We treated 58 patients (38 men and 20 women) at the age of 29.7 (19–43) with the diagnosis posttraumatic antero-inferior shoulder instability with an arthroscopic stabilization.
The patients were divided in two groups: In the first group with 31 patients we performed a capsule-labrum refixation with Fastak-anchors. In the second group (27 patients), we performed additionally a capsular shrinkage of the antero-inferior capsule with the Hol-Yag-laser.
The re-examination was done in a postoperative time of 6, 12 and 24 months.
Results: 50 patients (35 men and 15 women, 27 patients of the group 1 and 23 patients of the group 2) could be re-examined.
Operation-conditioned complications did not occur. 3 postoperativ reluxations were seen in each group. 22 patients of the group 1 and 19 patients of the group 2 indicated to be content with the postoperative result. The Constant Score rose in the group 1 from 46 (37–59) praeoperativ to 88 (67–100) postOP. In the group 2 the Constant Score of 42 (33–61) rose to 86 (64–100) postOP.
Conclusions: There was no significant improvement regarding the re-dislocation rate, the subjective patient satisfaction and the obtained Constant Score by additionally performing capsular shrinkage of the antero-inferior joint capsule, as by the exclusive capsule-labrum refixation.
The anatomical reconstruction of the capsule-labrum-complex seems to be the crucial component in the arthroscopic stabilisation regarding to the postoperative results.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
