Autologous osteochondral transplantation method of treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability

BackgroundGenerally, the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability is a challenge in the orthopedics with various treatment methods. There is a high recurrence rate for those patients with high activity and glenoid bone lesion less than 20% after Bankart procedure. The authors present a novel surgical technique using autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) method for recurrent anterior shoulder instability.MethodsBetween 2019 to 2021, 7 patients (five man and two women; mean age 35.1 years (range 17–55 years)) with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and glenoid bone lesion of 20% or less were treated with AOT method. All patients were available for follow-up at a mean of 25.4 months (range, 16 to 32 months), including Rowe score, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and 3-dimensional computed tomography examination.ResultsThe mean preoperative and postoperative Rowe score were calculated to be 25.7 ± 6.7 (range, 20–35) and 90.6 ± 2.4 (range, 85–95), respectively (p < 0.01). The mean preoperative and postoperative Oxford score were 36.4 ± 5.6 (range, 30–40) and 54.6 ± 2.4 (range, 50–57), respectively (p < 0.01). The mean preoperative and postoperative SST score were 6.9 ± 0.7 (range, 6–8) and 11.5 ± 0.7 (range, 11–12), respectively (p < 0.01). The average final forward flexion was 176° (affected shoulder), compared with 177° on the non-affected shoulder (P = 0.81). The average final abduction in external rotation was 86.6° (affected shoulder), compared with 89° on the non-affected shoulder (P = 0.31). Analysis of Computed Tomography (CT) data at an average 1 years postoperative showed that a mean glenoid bony gain of 16.7% was observed (range, 11.2%-19%, SD 3.6).ConclusionThis technique can be a useful option, particularly in patients with glenoid bone defect less than 20%. In addition, AOT technique may be considered as alternative to the Latarjet procedure. Nonetheless, further biomechanical and clinical studies are needed to determine the effect of this procedure to more commonly utilized techniques.Level of EvidenceLevel IV; Case series