Excellent results of lesser tuberosity transfer in acute locked posterior shoulder dislocation

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of lesser tuberosity transfer in acute locked posterior shoulder dislocation with a humeral head defect between 25 and 45 %. METHODS: Clinical and radiological results of seven patients with locked posterior shoulder dislocation with a humeral head defect between 25 and 45 % which were managed with a modification of the McLaughlin procedure within 14 days after injury were evaluated retrospectively after a mean follow-up of 41 months. RESULTS: All shoulders remained stable. The results were good in one and excellent in six patients with a median absolute Constant score of 92 (range 80-98). Mean active pain-free abduction was 171.4° (SD 6.4), mean flexion was 175.7° (SD 4.9), and mean external rotation was 54.3° (SD 17.6). Internal rotation was restricted in all patients. There were no radiological signs of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Lesser tuberosity transfer shows excellent clinical and radiographic mid-term results in acute cases of locked posterior shoulder dislocation with a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion between 25 and 45 %.