Anterior capsulolabral reconstruction of the shoulder in athletes.

We did an anterior capsulolabral reconstruction for recurrent subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder in 75 athletes after failure of conservative therapy. Average follow-up was 39 months (range 28 to 60 months). The results were 77% excellent, 75% good, 3% fair, and 5% poor. Seventy-five percent of the professional and 100% of the college baseball players returned to their previous level of competition. Seventy-seven percent of the professional pitchers were able to return to professional pitching. The range of motion at follow-up was full in 79% of the athletes. No infections or nerve injuries occurred. The anterior capsulolabral reconstruction procedure combined with an early rehabilitation program appears to provide an improved outcome compared with previously reported procedures for anterior instability of the shoulder in athletes.