Osteoarthrosis following the Putti-Platt operation.

The objective of this study was to search for any degenerative changes in the shoulder joint following the Putti-Platt operation in a long-term follow up study, as most papers regarding that operation report a redislocation rate and a limitation of external rotation, but only a few mention osteoarthrosis (OA). Patients operated on between 1945 and 1971 answered a questionnaire and were invited for a clinical examination including standard X-rays of the shoulder. These films were compared with those taken preoperatively. OA was classified according to the Samilson and Prieto grading. Twenty-six patients could be re-examined on average 26 years after the operation. Fifteen had evident radiological signs of OA. According to Samilson and Prieto there were 11 mild, 2 moderate and 2 severe cases of OA. Nine patients had a Hill-Sachs defect and 3, a Bankart lesion. Patients over the age of 25 years at the time of the first dislocation developed OA more often. Following the Putti-Platt operation one has to expect radiological signs of OA in a long-term follow-up. Mainly minor forms are seen. Older patient age at the time of the first dislocation is a predisposing factor for the development of OA.