Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Apreleva M., Hasselman C.T., Debski R.E., Fu F.H., Woo S.L-Y., Warner J.P.


We used a dynamic shoulder-testing apparatus and nine fresh-frozen, entir upper extremities from cadavera to evaluate the effects of varying degrees of capsulobaral injury on the kinematics of the glenohumeral joint during abduction in the scapular plane and external rotation. Joint kinematics were recorded with use of a six-degrees-of-freedom magnetic tracking device before and after the creation of each capsulolabral lesion in a progressive manner. Dislocation did not occur after simulation of a large Bankart lesion or even after sectioning aof the anterior aspect of the joint capsule. However, division of the entire joint capsule (that is, both the anterior aspect and the posterior aspect) resulted in a significant inrease (p <0.05) in posterior translation during abduction in the scapular plane, and two of the nine shoulder dislocated posteriorly. External rotation of the abducted extremity produced no increase in anterior or posterior translation.