Editorial Commentary: Posterior Shoulder Instability Surgical Treatment Outcomes Are Inferior to Outcomes of Anterior Instability: Standardization of Patient Evaluation and Indications Could Improve Results

Abstract

Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair remains the mainstay of treatment in patients with refractory shoulder posterior instability. In addition, glenoid bone block augmentation procedures for posterior shoulder instability are gaining momentum. Unfortunately, results from anterior glenoid bone block augmentation procedures have enjoyed much better success than posterior, and it is unclear why surgical treatment of posterior instability with either congenital or acquired retroversion, with or without posterior bone loss, can result in complications or poor outcomes. It is essential to standardize evaluation and reporting of clinical presentation, radiographic assessment, indications, and mid-to long-term follow-up in patients who undergo posterior shoulder bony augmentation procedures. Current literature suggests that greater than 11% posterior glenoid bone loss increases risk of surgical failure 10 times, and 15% posterior bone loss increases risk of surgical failure 25 times, suggesting a possible threshold for posterior bony augmentation. However, in the end, the problem is complex, and work remains to better define optimal patient indications in consideration of congenital or acquired pathology, retroversion, amount of bone loss, and patient demographics and risk factors.