RESEARCH ARTICLE
Arthroscopic Treatment of Multidirectional Glenohumeral Instability in Young Overhead Athletes
C. Voigt*, 1, 2, A.P. Schulz2, H. Lill1
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2009Volume: 3
First Page: 107
Last Page: 114
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-3-107
DOI: 10.2174/1874325000903010107
Article History:
Received Date: 24/9/2009Revision Received Date: 20/10/2009
Acceptance Date: 27/10/2009
Electronic publication date: 24/12/2009

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose:
This prospective case series evaluates the outcome, and the return to sports of young overhead athletes with a persistent, symptomatic multidirectional instability (MDI) with hyperlaxity type Gerber B5 treated with an arthroscopic anteroposteroinferior capsular plication and rotator interval closure.
Methods:
9 young overhead athletes (10 shoulders) with the rare diagnosis of MDI (Gerber B5) and an indication for operative treatment, after a failed physiotherapy program were physically examined 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively by a physical examination, and got a final phone interview after median 39 months.
Results:
At the final follow-up all patients were satisfied; Rowe Score showed 7 “excellent” and “good” results; Constant Score was “excellent” and “good” in 6, and “fair” in 1 patient. 7/9 returned to their previous sports, 3/9 at a reduced level.
Conclusion:
Symptomatic MDI requires an individual indication for surgical treatment after a primary conservative treatment. The described arthroscopic technique stabilizes glenohumeral joint. A return to overhead sports is possible but often at a reduced level; returning to high-performance sports cannot be recommended because of the high risk of reinstability.