Capsulorrhaphy with a staple for recurrent posterior subluxation of the shoulder.

Twenty athletes who had recurrent posterior subluxation of the shoulder, eight of whom also had associated anterior instability, were treated with capsulorraphy with a posterior staple. Nine patients had an unsatisfactory result: six had recurrence of the posterior instability and three still had moderate or severe pain. Five of six patients who had lax ligaments had a recurrence. Complications developed in five patients: pain from a staple in one, postoperative adhesions in two, and ectopic bone in two. Only one patient was able to throw as well as he had before the injury. Staple capsulorrhaphy is not acceptable treatment for posterior subluxation of the shoulder because it is associated with a high rate of failure and complications.