506 THE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY Arthrotomography of the Glenoid Labrum in Shoulder Instability

ABSTRACT: Instability of the shoulder is a disabling problem which may be difficult to evaluate by routine radiographs. As detachment or absence of the labrum can lead to shoulder instability, arthrotomography of the glenoid labrum is a helpful adjunct in substantiat-ing this diagnosis and in planning the choice of surgical reconstruction. We have found excellent correlation between the arthrotomographic findings and the glenohumeral lesion found at operation. Thirty-eight arthrotomograms of the glenoid la-brum were performed in thirty-seven patients who had either shoulder pain or instability, or both. The pa-tients were divided into three groups: those with pain-ful subluxation (Group I), those with voluntary sub-luxation (Group II), and those with persistent shoulde