Between 1976 and 1985, we repaired avulsion of the glenohumeral
ligaments in sixty-three shoulders (sixty-one patients) that had traumatic
anterior glenohumeral instability. We describe the indications for
operation, the operative technique, and the findings at the time of
operation. We located thirty-seven patients (thirty-nine shoulders) for
clinical follow-up (average, 5.49 years). One patient had recurrent
anterior dislocation four years postoperatively, but no patient needed
reoperation. The average range of motion was 171 degrees of forward
elevation and 84 degrees of external rotation in abduction. According to
the criteria of Rowe et al., 97 per cent of the results were good or
excellent.