Abstract
The method of evaluating a shoulder joint has not been established yet. In spite of this laxity, itself, is thought to be one of the major pathologies of shoulder disorders. We would like to present a new method of evaluation using arthroscopy here.
(Method) Arthroscopic examinations were performed under general anesthesia in the lateral position with the affected arm in traction. The degrees of the floating of the humeral head away from the glenoid were classified from F-O to F-4.
(Results) Joints having multidirectional instability were rated to be F-3 or F-4. There were some differences in the floating extent between the group of recurrent anterior dislocation and the group of recurrent anterior subluxation. There was a tendency that the looser joint was, the less pathological changes existed in the joint.
(Conclusion) This floating method is a relatively easy and useful one to evaluate joint laxity of the shoulder.
