Arthroscopic Autologous Iliac Crest Grafting with an Adjustable Loop Suspensory Device Yields Favorable Outcomes for Anterior Shoulder Instability with Glenoid Defects.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the arthroscopic autologous iliac crest grafting (AICG) procedure with an adjustable-loop suspensory fixation device in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability (ASI) with glenoid bone defects.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on the patients who underwent arthroscopic AICG with an adjustable-loop suspensory fixation device from January 2017 to December 2020. Patients with traumatic ASI, significant glenoid bone defects, and a minimum follow-up of 24 months were included. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including the Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS), the Rowe score, the Walch-Duplay score, the Constant score, and the Visual Analogue Score (VAS), were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. Radiological assessments using computed tomography (CT) were performed before and after the procedure. Additional data on active range of motion, recurrence events, and complications were recorded.

Results: A total of 42 patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up time of 35.2 months ranging from 25.1 to 55.9 months. Mean preoperative OSIS, Rowe score, Walch-Duplay score, and Constant score significantly improved from 24.4±7.2, 25.0±9.0, 25.2±9.8, 87.5±7.1 to 42.4±4.9, 92.4±8.1, 87.9±8.3, 93.6±4.5 at the last follow-up, respectively. All patients exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for OSIS, Rowe, and Walch-Duplay scores. The graft union rate was 100%, and the glenoid area increased significantly from 82.5% preoperatively to 100.1% at the final follow-up. No patient experienced a recurrence of instability. Two recorded complications included one case of dysesthesia around the donor site and one case of postoperative shoulder stiffness.

Conclusions: The outcomes of the arthroscopic AICG procedure, which utilizes an adjustable-loop suspensory fixation device, demonstrated stable bone graft fixation, high rates of graft integration, favorable clinical results, and a low incidence of complications. Moreover, the remodeling of the graft during the follow-up period significantly restored the width and concavity of the inferior glenoid, contributing to the overall recovery.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.