“Hospital-Corner Repair” for Shoulder Instability

Abstract

Most shoulder instability repairs are performed with single-loaded suture anchors. Recent reports have shown that there is increased stress on both the glenoid labrum and suture anchor when sutures from single-loaded anchors are passed through the capsule and labrum. This report describes a novel technique for shoulder instability repair using double-loaded suture anchors in the glenoid. The first primary stitch is passed through the labrum only and then tied, shifting the tissue superiorly. The second stitch is passed inferiorly through the patulous capsule in addition to the labrum with a pinch-tuck technique. This technique distributes the tension on the labral repair and creates a fold to protect and shield the primary labral repair. Just as flat sheets are folded and tucked underneath a mattress to form a “hospital corner,” this procedure applies a similar principle to the labrum and capsule of the shoulder. This technique is applicable for any type of shoulder instability repair, including Bankart lesions, posterior labral tears, and multidirectional instability, that requires the use of suture anchors.