The use of the Putti-Platt procedure in the treatment of recurrent anterior dislocation. With special reference to the young athlete.

This study presents the results of 107 shoulder reconstructions by one surgeon, of which 59 were Putti-Platt procedures, and 48 were combined Putti-Platt/Bankhart procedures. The patients were predominately young males engaged in contact sports, particularly the Rugby football codes. There were nine redislocations noted in clinical records for the 107 Putti-Platt or combined Putti-Platt procedures, but 8 noted on the 71 replies to a questionnaire. There was only one redislocation in the absence of significant trauma. The average loss of external rotation was 20 degrees in the 41 patients that were able to present for reexamination. Sixty-two of the 71 patients who answered questionnaires were able to play any sport without functional impairment. The Putti-Platt procedure provides excellent shoulder stability for active sportsmen without significant loss of performance.