Developments in Bankart repair for treatment of anterior instability of the shoulder

In the past 10 years, Bankart repair for operative treatment of recurrent luxation of the shoulder has become well established. Recently, the arthroscopic Bankart procedure has been developed. Since 1991, cannulated, bioabsorbable plugs are being used (Suretac; Acufex Microsurgical, Mansfield, Ma., USA). This investigation examines what the advantages of this micro-invasive technique are compared with the open Bankart procedure. From 1986 to 1995, 120 patients underwent Bankart repair of the shoulder in our hospital. Since 1993 we have preferred using arthroscopy, and since 1994 with Suretac. We were able to follow-up 93 patients. The results were assessed using the criteria of stability, range of motion, pain and functional results. The patients were evaluated using the Rowe score. The mean follow-up time was much shorter in the arthroscopic group. Nevertheless, we registered a higher reluxation rate (2 patients, 8%) in comparison with the group that underwent open surgery (3 patients, 4%). As postoperative pain and deterioration of range of motion are less, however, the mean Rowe score shows no significant difference. In conclusion, proper selection of patients has to be performed: arthroscopic Bankart repair is recommended for refixation of a detached anterior labrum. It is disadvantageous when the labrum is degenerated or the capsular tissue is attenuated. That is why, in our opinion, the open Bankart procedure with its capsulorrhaphy cannot be renounced completely.     

Traumatic anterior shoulder instability in the athlete

Anterior glenohumeral dislocation is common among athletes and may progress to recurrent instability. The pathoanatomy of instability and specific needs of each individual should be considered to prevent unnecessary absence from sport. Traditionally, primary dislocations have been managed with immobilization followed by rehabilitation exercises and a return to sporting activity. However, arthroscopic stabilization and external rotation bracing are increasingly used to prevent recurrent instability. In addition to the typical capsulolabral disruptions seen following a primary dislocation, patients with recurrent instability often have coexistent osseous injury to the humeral head and glenoid. In patients without significant bone loss, open soft‐tissue stabilizations have long been considered the ‘gold standard treatment’ for recurrent instability, but with advances in technology, arthroscopic procedures have gained popularity. However, enthusiasm for arthroscopic repair has not been supported with evidence, and there is currently no consensus for treatment. In patients with greater bone loss, soft‐tissue stabilization alone is insufficient to treat recurrent instability and open repair or bone augmentation should be considered. We explore the recent advances in epidemiology, classification, pathoanatomy and clinical assessment of young athletes with anterior shoulder instability, and compare the relative merits and outcomes of the different forms of treatment.     

Arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy for anterior shoulder instability.

We reviewed the results of the arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy on 47 patients with a followup of 4 years. Thirty-four of the 47 shoulders had a history of traumatic dislocation, while the remaining 13 had a history of subluxation. The recurrence rate was 25%, with 8 shoulders developing recurrent frank dislocation and 4 developing subluxation. Only 21 of the 47 patients were able to resume normal sporting activities after surgical repair. We had no cases of staple loosening within the joint, but we did have 3 patients whose staples were removed because of persistent pain in the shoulder.     

Management of complications of surgery for anterior shoulder instability

Both operative and nonoperative management of the unstable shoulder requires a thorough understanding of the natural history of instability, as well as the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder joint. Failure of management may occur at any time during the course of treatment, and may be a result of either physician or patient error, or a combination of both. The correct diagnosis allows for selection of the most appropriate treatment, and the success of surgical treatment depends on proper recognition of the pattern of instability and technically adequate anatomic capsulolabral reconstruction. Complications that can occur include making the shoulder too loose or too tight, injury to the neurovascular elements about the shoulder, and articular injury from hardware usage about the shoulder.     

Nonoperative management for in-season athletes with anterior shoulder instability

BACKGROUND: Acute or recurrent anterior shoulder instability is a frequent injury for in-season athletes. Treatment options for this injury include shoulder immobilization, rehabilitation, and shoulder stabilization surgery. PURPOSE: To determine if in-season athletes can be returned to their sports quickly and effectively after nonoperative treatment for an anterior instability episode. METHODS: Over a 2-year period, 30 athletes matched the inclusion criteria for this study. Nineteen athletes had experienced anterior dislocations, and 11 had experienced subluxations. All were treated with physical therapy and fitted, if appropriate, with a brace. These athletes were followed for the number of recurrent instability episodes, additional injuries, subjective ability to compete, and ability to complete their season or seasons of choice. RESULTS: Twenty-six of 30 athletes were able to return to their sports for the complete season at an average time missed of 10.2 days (range, 0-30 years). Ten athletes suffered sport-related recurrent instability episodes (range, 0-8 years). An average of 1.4 recurrent instability episodes per season per athlete occurred. There were no further injuries attributable to the shoulder instability. Sixteen athletes underwent surgical stabilization for their shoulders during the subsequent off-season. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the athletes were able to return to their sport and complete their seasons after an episode of anterior shoulder instability, although 37% experienced at least 1 additional episode of instability during the season.     

Thermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of shoulder instability

Thermal capsulorrhaphy has been used to treat many different types of shoulder instability, including multidirectional instability, unidirectional instability, and microinstability in overhead-throwing athletes. A device that delivers laser energy or radiofrequency energy to the capsule tissue causes the collagen to denature and the capsule to shrink. The optimal temperature to achieve the most shrinkage without causing necrosis of the tissue is between 65 degrees and 75 degrees centigrade. This treatment causes a significant decrease in mechanical stiffness for the first 2 weeks, and then, after the tissue undergoes active cellular repair from the surrounding uninjured tissue, the mechanical properties return to near normal by 12 weeks. If the thermal energy is applied in a grid pattern, then the tissue heals with more stiffness by 6 weeks. Clinical studies on thermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of multidirectional instability have shown a high rate of recurrent instability (12%-64%). The clinical studies on unidirectional instability showed much better recurrence rates (4%-25%), but because most of the patients also underwent concomitant Bankart repairs and superior labral anterior posterior lesion repairs, the efficacy of the thermal treatment cannot be ascertained. A randomized controlled trial would be needed to assess whether instability with Bankart lesions requires augmentation with thermal capsulorrhaphy. For the patients with microinstability who are overhead-throwing athletes, thermal capsulorrhaphy has shown varying results from a 97% rate of return to sports to a 62% rate of return to sports. Complications of this technique include temporary nerve injuries that usually involve the sensory branch of the axillary nerve and thermal necrosis of the capsule, which is rare.     

Open shoulder instability surgery. Complications.

Surgical stabilization of the shoulder can be a challenging procedure. Complications can and do occur, even in the hands of the most experienced surgeons. Emphasis must be placed on proper diagnosis, appropriate technique, and an understanding of potential complications to maximize the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome. The authors hope that this review helps to outline the complications that can occur with open instability surgery. Only by understanding the complications associated with the procedures performed can surgeons hope to decrease the frequency of their occurrence.     

Examination under anesthesia for evaluation of anterior shoulder instability.

Thirty patients with unilateral, traumatic recurrent anterior instability were assessed by examination under anesthesia of both shoulders in the anterior, anteroinferior, inferior, posterior, and posteroinferior directions while the examiner controlled the patients' arm rotation. There were significant side-to-side differences in humeral head translation, depending on arm rotation. Humeral head translation was significantly greater in the abnormal shoulder only in the anteroinferior direction with 40 degrees and 80 degrees of external rotation of the arm. Defining an "abnormal" examination as grade 3 translation (translation of the humeral head up onto the glenoid rim) or grade 4 translation (translation of the humeral head over the glenoid rim, that is, dislocated) and translation two grades greater than the contralateral uninjured side, the test sensitivity was 83%, and the test specificity was 100%. Assessing humeral head translation by examination under anesthesia is a useful adjunct to the diagnostic tools for shoulder instability, but the number of tests should be expanded to include the anteroinferior and posteroinferior directions, and the tests should be done with the arm in varying degrees of rotation.     

Advances in the understanding of anterior instability of the shoulder

Anterior instability involves a spectrum of disease ranging from the obvious acute first-time dislocation to the athlete presenting with shoulder pain and no history suggestive of instability. It is important to recognize the pathophysiology and how it relates to this spectrum of disease. The arthroscope has helped to identify the underlying pathology in both acute and chronic situations. Diagnostically, a history of a painful shoulder, especially in the athlete, should suggest anterior instability. Tests of translation, apprehension, and the use of local anesthetic can be useful. Arthroscopy is used in situations in which the diagnosis is unclear. The management of anterior instability should emphasize strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers. Surgical repair requires correction of the underlying pathology with minimization of damage to other structures. Arthroscopic management of anterior instability includes repair, debridement of intra-articular lesions, and the possibility of acute correction of the pathoanatomic lesions.     

关节镜下Bankart修复治疗训练伤所致慢性肩关节前方不稳

目的观察关节镜下Bankart修复治疗训练伤所致慢性肩关节前方不稳的临床疗效。方法选择21例肩关节前方不稳的患者,关节镜下锚钉修复盂唇损伤,同时修复合并出现的上盂唇前后(SLAP)损伤,较大的Hill-sachs损伤。采用UCLA功能评分标准和SST评分进行疗效的评估,记录术前和终末随访的得分。结果术后患者随访12~45个月,平均随访27个月。SST得分术前为(6.72±2.38)分,术后终末随访评分为(11.24±1.46)分,同术前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。术前UCLA平均得分为(19.55±5.02)分,术后终末随访评分为(33.19±4.61)分,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论关节镜下Bankart修复治疗训练伤所致肩关节前方不稳疗效满意,可以很好恢复肩关节功能。     

Arthroscopic versus open Bankart repair for traumatic anterior shoulder instability

After more than 15 years of experience, arthroscopic shoulder stabilization is becoming less controversial. Historically, recurrence rates following arthroscopic stabilization have been higher than with open stabilization. Although a negligible advantage may exist in terms of expedited postoperative rehabilitation and improved postoperative recovery of motion, critics suggest that its use in contact athletes be limited. The indications for arthroscopic stabilization are expanding, in part, because of improved understanding of the pathophysiology of shoulder instability. Understanding the mechanism of recurrent instability following arthroscopic stabilization offers clues to how physicians can prevent unsatisfactory results in the future. With newer instrumentation and the ability to thermally treat capsular tissue, coexisting pathology, such as capsular plastic deformation, rotator interval lesions, and unrecognized intra-articular pathology, can now be addressed arthroscopically. The judicious use of these techniques is warranted until long-term study results become available. Ideal patients for arthroscopic Bankart repair have a discrete Bankart lesion; a robust, well-developed IGHL; no significant capsular laxity or intraligamentous injury; and an absence of concomitant intra-articular pathology. Additional findings on MR imaging or CT evidence of a discrete labral lesion and pure unidirectional anterior instability during EUA are also good prognostic indicators for arthroscopic Bankart repair. Arthroscopic criteria that render patients less appropriate for an arthroscopic repair include capsular injury, capsular laxity, a bony Bankart lesion, glenohumeral arthritis, and a rotator cuff tear. The authors' believe that either absent or patulous, poorly developed glenohumeral ligaments represent a poor prognostic indicator for a successful outcome following standard arthroscopic Bankart repair. Individuals with poor-quality tissue are more predictably managed using open capsulorrhaphy. Patients with pathologic ligamentous laxity in the absence of a Bankart lesion or any apparent intraligamentous injury to the IGHL are also good candidates for treatment with an open capsulorrhaphy. Findings determined from a thorough physical examination, EUA, and the pathology appreciated during diagnostic arthroscopy help to appropriately choose the surgical procedure that effectively addresses pathology in patients who present with recurrent traumatic anterior instability. Patient preferences and surgical experience are important determinants of procedure selection, and current arthroscopic techniques lack the versatility to uniformly address the entire spectrum of pathology that may be associated with traumatic anterior shoulder instability. Surgeons should always be prepared to convert to an open-stabilization technique if the arthroscopic technique is deficient in addressing all pathology identified at the time of surgery.     

Open revision stabilization surgery for recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability

Fifty patients (average age, 27 years) who underwent revision anterior stabilization surgery for failed anterior glenohumeral instability procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Failure of the original procedure occurred subsequent to significant trauma in only 17 of 50 shoulders. At revision, 49 shoulders underwent an anteroinferior capsular shift procedure and 23 underwent concurrent repair of a Bankart lesion. One shoulder was treated with a coracoid transfer to reconstruct the anteroinferior glenoid. At an average follow-up of 4.7 years (range, 2 to 10), there were 36 excellent and 3 good results (78%). Eleven shoulders were considered unsatisfactory (22%); 7 of these 11 patients had a diagnosis of voluntary dislocation. All 17 patients who had failed results after significant trauma had excellent results after revision surgery. However, only 22 of the 33 patients (67%) with atraumatic recurrent instability achieved excellent or good results after revision surgery. This difference was statistically significant. No patients had radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis at the most recent follow-up. Range of motion, return to function, and glenohumeral stability can be reliably restored in a high percentage of patients after revision anterior stabilization surgery for glenohumeral instability. However, the results are not as predictable as for primary surgery. Factors associated with poor results of revision repair included an atraumatic cause of failure, voluntary dislocations, and multiple prior stabilization attempts.     

Revisiting open capsuloplasty for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability: 35-year follow-up of the Du Toit procedure

The Du Toit open capsuloplasty for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability is based on the concept of restoring joint stability by recreating the integrity of the anterior glenoid labrum and inferior gleno-humeral ligament using staples. The long-term validity of this procedure for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability was retrospectively assessed by a clinical or telephone interview and radiographic evaluation in 58 patients with an average 35-year follow-up between 1948 and 1974. The range of motion was evaluated by comparing the treated side with the contralateral one; subjective and objective evaluation was performed according to the ASES, Rowe scales and Constant rating system; A-P and axillary X-rays were performed to evaluate glenohumeral arthrosis by the Samilson criteria. Despite the need for a second operation due to staple loosening (5 of 58 patients in our series), this open procedure for shoulder instability gave a high rate of satisfactory results, thus holding the ground for the current concept of the modern arthroscopic Bankart repair.