Shoulder Proprioception Following Open and Arthroscopic Instability Repair

Proprioception of the Glenohumeral Joint Following Open and Arthroscopic Repair for Anterior Shoulder Instability

Shoulder dislocations are common and may result in functionally disabling instability. Disruption of the shoulder capsuloligamentous complex during shoulder dislocation is related to poor proprioceptive and stabilizing capabilities of the joint. It has been demonstrated that surgical restoration of the normal glenohumeral capsular tensioning improves the proprioceptive capability of the shoulder and plays an important roll in restoring shoulder stability.

Several studies compared the proprioceptive capabilities of the shoulder between different surgical procedures, however only few have used the "dynamic unrestricted 3-dimensional arm movement model" that has been shown to be more appropriate for assessment of glenohumeral proprioception. To our knowledge, no previous study has compared proprioception measures of the glenohumeral joint following arthroscopic versus open repair for anterior shoulder instability, using the 3-dimensional unrestricted arm movement model.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are at least one year after a single operation for anterior shoulder instability of their dominant arm
• control subjects will be healthy volunteers with no history of shoulder complaints selected to match the age and gender of subjects

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological impairment involving the upper extremities
• Instability or recurrent dislocation of the operated shoulder
• Another surgery of the dominant extremity besides the single stabilization procedure