Osteoarthritis after the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange procedure for anterior dislocation of the shoulder. A 15 year follow up.

We have quantified the rate and severity of osteoarthritis after the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange procedure. With a mean follow up of 15 years, 44/56 (79%) of operated shoulders showed osteoarthritic changes on radiographic review. Of the contralateral non-operated shoulders the rate of osteoarthritis was 8/60 (8%). Only shoulders in the operated group demonstrated severe osteoarthritis. In our hands the rate of osteoarthritis for the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange procedure is higher than for the Eden-Hybbinette procedure or for rival operations for recurrent dislocation. We recommend careful evaluation of the Eden-Hybbinette-Lange procedure. The high rate of late osteoarthritis indicates that other operations with an equally low rate of redislocation may be of greater long term benefit to the patient.