There have been many reports about re-dislocation and external rotation motion loss after a modified Bristow procedure (B). We have attempted a modified Bristow procedure with a Bankart repair procedure (BB) and immobilization in the neutral position with an SH brace (SH) postoperatively instead of in internal rotation (IR). The goal of this study was to evaluate the postoperative acquirements of the range of motion of external rotation. We evaluated 15 shoulders with recurrent dislocation of the shoulders. All the 15 shoulders were divided into three groups according to their surgical procedures and postoperative immobilization. (BB-SH, BSH and B-IR) The motion of external rotation of the shoulder in 0 degree of abduction (ER I) and the motion in 90 degrees of abduction (ER II) were measured at 4,8,12 and 24 weeks postoperatively. Recovery rates (ratio: operatively treated shoulder / healthy shoulder) were evaluated. Recovery rates of ER I had gradually increased postoperatively in all three groups. The recovery rates of the B-SH group at 4 and 8 weeks were significantly higher compared to the B-IR group. Modified immobilization of the neutral position induces early acquirements of the motion of external rotation after a Bristow procedure.
