Direction of non-recoverable strain in the glenohumeral capsule following multiple anterior dislocations: Implications for anatomic Bankart repair

The study aimed to analyze the direction of non-recoverable strain and determine the optimal direction for anatomic capsular plication within four sub-regions of the inferior glenohumeral capsule following multiple dislocations. Seven fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were dissected. A grid of strain markers was affixed to the inferior glenohumeral capsule. Each joint was mounted in a 6-degree-of-freedom robotic testing system and repeatedly dislocated in the anterior direction 10 times at 60° of abduction and 60° of external rotation of the glenohumeral joint. The 3D positions of the strain markers were compared before and after dislocations to define the non-recoverable strain. The strain map was divided into four sub-regions. The angles of deviation between each maximum principle strain vector and the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (AB-IGHL) or posterior band of the IGHL (PB-IGHL) for the anterior and posterior regions of the capsule were determined. The mean direction of all strain vectors in each sub-region was categorized. The direction of the non-recoverable strain in the anterior-band and anterior-axillary-pouch sub-regions was categorized as parallel to the AB-IGHL, whereas the posterior-axillary-pouch and posterior-band sub-regions were mostly perpendicular to the PB-IGHL. Clinical Significance: Plication of the anteroinferior capsule parallel to the AB-IGHL may be preferred during arthroscopic Bankart repair to restore anatomy; posteroinferior capsular plication may also be necessary and best performed perpendicular to the PB-IGHL. The direction of the capsular injury remains the same irrespective of the number of dislocations. This study provides the scientific and quantitative rationale for an anatomic approach to capsular plication.