The present study showed that the progressive protocol produced no adverse effects compared with the traditional protocol.

Scandinavian Journal of M E D I C I N E 84 SCIENCE I N SPORTS ISSN 0905-7188 Bioabsorbable tacks for arthroscopic treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation Karlsson J, Kartus J, Ejerhed L, Gunnarsson A-C, Lundin 0, Sward L. Bioabsorbable tacks for arthroscopic treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1998: 23: 411415. 0 Munksgaard, 1998Seventy-eight patients (82 shoulders) with symptomatic, recurrent an-I terior post-traumatic shoulder instability and Bankart lesions were operated on with bioabsorbable tacks (Suretac@ fixators). All the patients were followed by an independent observer, with a median follow-up period of 27 (21-63) months. The recurrence rate was 8/82 (10%). The median Rowe score was 93 (37-100) points. The median Constant score for the index shoulders was 90 (34-100) points, compared with 93 (80-100) points for 59 non-operated healthy shoulders from the same cohort (P=0.03).The external rotation in abduction was 93 (50-135)' compared with 105 (75-145)" for the control shoulders (P=O.O018). Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization using bioabsorbable Suretac@ fixators appears to produce reliable results if used in patients with post-traumatic shoulder instability and a Bankart lesion.

Early activation using a comprehensive, well-defined and controlled physiotherapy protocol can be used safely after arthroscopic subacromial decompression.