Current Concepts in Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Shoulder Instability

Seo, Jae Sung

Abstract

In the past, the report of shoulder instability undergoing open shoulder stabilization had satisfactory outcomes of greater than 90%. However, the functional loss of open procedure is severe in abduction and external rotation especially. Current arthroscopic techniques for shoulder instability result in success rate equal to open surgical procedure when the labrum is properly fixed to the glenoid rim using suture anchors, the capsule is tightened, and associated bony and soft tissue pathology is addressed. The arthroscopic surgery facilitates the view within shoulder joint for more accurate diagnosis, reduces operating time, minimises postoperative pain, reduces operative morbidity, improves shoulder function, and provides the possibility to perform other procedure simultaneously. However, to accomplish a successful arthroscopic stabilization procedure and to prevent complications, numerous advanced arthroscopic skill must be mastered. Although the arthroscope provides means to visualize new lesions, the pathomechanism and biomechanical explanation is not clear yet. Further studies are necessary to develop for shoulder reconstruction.