Staple capsulorrhaphy for recurrent posterior shoulder dislocation.

Recurrent posterior shoulder dislocation or subluxation is uncommon but occurs occasionally in athletes. Ten patients were treated with a posterior shoulder staple capsulorrhaphy. A posterior Bankhart-type-lesion was found in all cases. Eight of the 10 patients had pain relief. The range of motion was usually maintained postoperatively, but no patient returned to his former throwing status. Four patients also had anterior instability. Three patients (30%) had postoperative recurrence of their posterior instability. The two "ligamentous lax" conditions in the series both recurred. The procedure should be supplemented in the "lax" individual. Complications in 4 patients included a painful staple, postoperative adhesions, and symptomatic ectopic bone formation in two patients. Recurrent posterior shoulder dislocation is not a definite indication for operative repair; patients must be carefully selected.