Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder and the Putti Platt operation.

Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder has long been recognized, and more than 100 techniques for repair of the injury are described. This survey describes 113 patients who suffered from recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder and were operated upon in accordance with the Putti Platt technique. The most significant preoperative finding was inadequate immobilization after the primary dislocation (62% of the patients). Postoperative recurrence was uncommon (1%) and a relative increased limitation of motion in the postoperative period improved gradually to almost a full range of movement.