Recurrent shoulder dislocation after surgical repair: double-contrast CT arthrography. Work in progress.

Nine cases of recurrent postoperative shoulder instability, resulting from failed surgical repair, were studied with double-contrast computed tomography (CT) arthrography. Repeat operations in seven cases showed excellent correlation between CT and surgical anatomic findings. CT arthrography was useful in confirming the direction of instability, particularly of the posterior and multidirectional types. Capsular laxity, subscapularis muscle and tendon abnormalities, and Bankart lesions that were either recurrent or not identified during previous operations were the most common causes of recurrent dislocations. The precise identification of the soft-tissue and bone abnormalities responsible for shoulder instability augmented clinical evaluation and aided preoperative planning.