The treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability continues to evolve.
Open capsulolabral repairs are time-tested and reliable.
In an era in which arthroscopic techniques continue to improve, open
surgery remains an acceptable option, and there are still certain injury
patterns that cannot be adequately addressed arthroscopically.
Decision-making regarding surgery for instability is influenced by the
surgeon's experience and the relevant pathological findings.
Open operative treatment is the preferred approach in many instances of
recurrent anterior instability, particularly when there is bone and
soft-tissue loss and in revision settings.