The long-term results of the modified Bristow's procedure have not been investigated in detail. We have been able to follow up(over 10 years) 23 patients and report the long-term results of this procedure.
The 23 patients ranged in age at operation from 16 to 44 years and 16 patients were male and 7 patients female. No dislocations recurred and pain on motion was experienced by 2 patients. Mild limitation of external rotation was seen in 11 patients, which was 10 degrees on average. Return to sports was accomplished by 13 patients,9 of whom played their original sport, while 4enjoyed some other sports.
Restriction of external rotation was 8 degrees on average when returning to their original sport and 14 degrees if they did not return to any sports.
We recognize that a remarkable limitation of external rotation prevents some athletes from returning to sports. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint was seen in 4 patients, in whom displacement of the screw was observed in 2 and breakage of the screw in 1. We suspect breakage and displacement of the screw to be the cause for arthorosis of the shoulder joint.
