Arthroscopic treatment of anterior shoulder instability.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several advances in arthroscopic shoulder stabilization procedures were made. However, these early techniques were associated with higher failure rates compared with the traditional open procedures and therefore were not widely disseminated throughout the orthopaedic community. Because of improved understanding in anatomy and pathology in conjunction with dramatic technologic advances, the past decade has demonstrated significant improvement in the arthroscopic management of the unstable shoulder Evolution of arthroscopic techniques over the past 5 years to more closely resemble open procedures has led to clinical outcomes previously seen only with open procedures. Arthroscopy is becoming an attractive treatment option for an increasing number of orthopaedic surgeons.