Recurrent Shoulder Instability and Arthritis Treated with Graft Jacket Resurfacing, Hemiarthroplasty, and Bone Grafting

Abstract

The treatment of recurrent shoulder instability in the presence of large bony defects of the glenoid and/or the humeral head is evolving. The young patient with significant glenohumeral arthrosis presents unique challenges in terms of management. In the presence of large glenohumeral bony defects, several authors have reported poor outcomes with attempted soft tissue stabilization only. Therefore, some type of bony reconstruction is generally recommended. Glenohumeral arthrosis is a known complication of recurrent shoulder dislocation. The role of arthroplasty and glenoid resurfacing options in young patients is controversial given the demands in this group. This article presents a case of a 35-year-old patient who presented with coexisting bony defects-an engaging Hill-Sachs defect and a bony Bankart defect causing recurrent shoulder instability-and post-dislocation glenohumeral arthritis with resultant pain. He underwent a humeral hemiarthroplasty, glenoid structural bone grafting, and a glenoid graft jacket. At 2-year follow-up, he reported a favorable outcome. This case represents an encouraging treatment approach for a young patient with recurrent instability caused by coexisting bony defects and significant arthrosis.