OSTEOARTHRITIS AFTER THE EDEN-HYBBINETTE-LANGE PROCEDURE FOR ANTERIORDISLOCATION OF THE SHOULDER - A 15-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

We have quantified the rate and severity of osteoarthritis after the E den-Hybbinette-Lange procedure. With a mean follow up of 15 years, 44/ 56 (79%) of operated shoulders showed osteoarthritic changes on radiog raphic review. Of the contralateral non-operated shoulders the rate of osteoarthritis was 8/60 (8%). Only shoulders in the operated group de monstrated severe osteoarthritis. In our hands the rate of osteoarthri tis for the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange procedure is higher than for the Ede n-Hybbinette procedure or for rival operations for recurrent dislocati on. We recommend careful evaluation of the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange proce dure. The high rate of late osteoarthritis indicates that other operat ions with an equally low rate of redislocation may be of greater long term benefit to the patient.