Arthroscopic Stabilisation in Anterior Shoulder Instability: An Analysis of Mid-term Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical outcome of arthroscopic stabilisation for recurrent anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series. Place and Duration of the Study: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from May 2018 to December 2022.

METHODOLOGY: Fifty-two patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of Bankart lesion were studied. Those who had concomitant fractures, neurological injury or underwent any surgery on the same shoulder were excluded. The outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in pain, constant and Rowe scores, postoperatively.

RESULTS: The mean delay in the procedure after the first dislocation was 65.15+38.23 months, and the mean follow-up period was 26.61+7.55 months. On final follow-up, improvement in pain was statistically significant (p<0.05): (VAS: 2.17+1.77 to 0.69+0.64 at rest and from 4.5+2.24 to 1.58+1.85 at motion). On subjective assessment, 50% of the sample was very satisfied, and an objective assessment showed statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in Constant score from 65.4 to 78.6. Rowe score not only showed a significant improvement (from 31.6 to 80.3 with p<0.05), but 69.2% of the follow-up scores lied in the good and excellent results range as well. Recurrence was noted in 8 cases (15.3%).

CONCLUSION: Significant clinical improvement was seen after arthroscopic stabilisation in anterior shoulder instability. However, further research is required regarding the recurrence rate and restriction in the range of motion.

KEY WORDS: Glenohumeral joint, Dislocation, Stabilisation, Shoulder arthroscopy.