Magnetic resonance imaging after surgery for shoulder instability.

Interpretation of MR imaging of the shoulder after instability repair can be significantly hampered by (susceptibility) artifacts and/or distortion of normal anatomy. Knowledge of the surgical procedures performed including the (ferromagnetic) materials used is important to adjust the imaging protocol, in order to reduce artifacts. MR arthrography is probably the optimal tool for assessment of postoperative capsular-labral structures and rotator cuff defects. More general postoperative complications can be determined or excluded using conventional fast spin echo sequences with or without fat-suppression.