In the international literature, the rate of recurrence after conservative treatment of traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint is high. Rates are highest in young subjects and violent sports. Recent publications report a lower rate of recurrence after immobilization in external rotation but with a short follow-up and in heterogeneous groups where contact sports were not individualized.

Between August 1989 and April 1997, we conducted a prospective study to assess outcome in contact sports athletes aged at least 30 years (arthroscopy, 2001) Comparing the results of surgical and non-surgical treatment showed excellent or good outcome in 96% of the surgery group and in 94% of the non-surgery group.

Later publications showed that chronic disease is an important negative factor for bone and cartilage tissue quality at repair.

Between August 1989 and March 2005, we have performed 97 first-intention arthroscopic repair procedures in contact sport athletes and have obtained anatomic repair more easily with better quality tissue and better outcome with a lower rate of recurrence as well as more rapid resumption of training.