Use of Fresh Osteochondral Glenoid Allograft to Treat Posteroinferior Bone Loss in Chronic Posterior Shoulder Instability

We report our experience with the use of fresh glenoid osteochondral allograft in the treatment of a chronic posttraumatic posterior subluxation of the shoulder associated with glenoid bone loss in a 54-year-old recreational football player.

Based on the pathoanatomy of the lesion and availability of a bone bank providing fresh allograft, we opted for an open anatomic reconstruction using a fresh glenoid allograft. A posterior approach was used; the prepared allograft was placed in the appropriate anatomic position and fixed with 2 small fragment screws with washers. At 2-year follow-up, the clinical outcome is excellent.

This procedure may represent an effective option for the treatment of chronic posterior shoulder instability due to glenoid bone loss. However, the long-term efficacy and the progression of glenohumeral osteoarthritis need to be evaluated.