Belt and suspender technique for bipolar bone loss in shoulder instability

Abstract

Bipolar glenohumeral bone loss is a challenging condition to address in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. In this category of patients, most isolated soft-tissue procedures such as remplissage or infraspinatus capsulotenodesis are associated with high risk of failure and instability recurrence. Even bony procedures such as Latarjet may fail to provide absolute stability, and instability may eventually recur. For a better understanding of the cause of failure in this particular type of patient, we may refer to the glenoid track concept which has been described as a useful tool for surgical planning. In fact, Latarjet procedure alone may leave a place for engagement of the Hill-Sachs defect on the anterior glenoid resulting in an off-track situation and secondary glenohumeral instability. In this technical note, we present the combination of arthroscopic remplissage and an open Latarjet procedure to treat patients with bipolar glenohumeral bone loss with good results at 31-month follow-up. Our aim is to propose these techniques as a possible rescue procedure for highly unstable shoulders combining engaged Hill-Sachs lesion and glenoid bone loss of more than 25%. We believe this technique would be a good option for patients who present other risk factors of recurrence such as past medical history of epilepsy, laxity, and psychiatric illnesses.

Keywords

• Level IV