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What Is Hill-Sachs Remplissage?

Hill-Sachs remplissage is a procedure used to help stabilize a shoulder that dislocates toward the front. It treats a dent in the ball of the upper arm bone called a Hill-Sachs lesion. The surgeon secures tissue from the back of the shoulder into the dent so it is less likely to catch on the socket rim.

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What Is Hill-Sachs Remplissage?

Hill-Sachs remplissage is a procedure used to help stabilize a shoulder that dislocates toward the front. It treats a dent in the ball of the upper arm bone called a Hill-Sachs lesion. The surgeon secures tissue from the back of the shoulder into the dent so it is less likely to catch on the socket rim.

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When Is Hill-Sachs Remplissage Used?

A Hill-Sachs lesion can form when the shoulder dislocates. If the defect catches on the socket rim during movement, it can contribute to further dislocations. The surgeon considers its size and the amount of bone damage around the socket when choosing a repair.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

The surgeon usually works through small incisions with a camera called an arthroscope. Sutures and anchors secure the posterior shoulder capsule and part of the infraspinatus tendon into the bone defect. Remplissage is commonly performed alongside a repair of the torn tissue at the front of the socket.

What Happens During Recovery?

A sling protects the shoulder while the repaired tissue heals. Physical therapy gradually restores movement and strength according to the surgeon's instructions. Return to sports or heavy activity depends on healing and shoulder stability.

What Are the Risks?

Possible complications include infection, stiffness, and continued shoulder instability. Movement when turning the arm outward may be reduced. The repaired tissue or anchors can also fail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hill-Sachs Remplissage

Does remplissage replace shoulder bone?

No. It fills the bone defect with attached tendon and capsule rather than replacing the bone.

Is remplissage usually done with another shoulder repair?

Yes. Surgeons commonly combine it with repair of a Bankart lesion at the front of the shoulder socket.

Will the shoulder still move after surgery?

Yes. Rehabilitation aims to restore useful movement, though outward rotation can remain somewhat limited.

Can the shoulder dislocate again?

Yes. Remplissage lowers the risk in appropriately selected patients, but it cannot guarantee that another dislocation will not occur.

References

Arthroscopic Hill-Sachs Remplissage with Bankart Repair: Strategy and Technique. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30775111/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Arthroscopic remplissage: history, indications, and clinical outcomes. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11181067/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Hill-Sachs Remplissage Procedure Based on Posterosuperior Capsulomuscular Anatomy. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6624184/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

Outcomes of the Remplissage Procedure and Its Effects on Return to Sports: Average 5-Year Follow-up. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26888881/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.

The Remplissage Technique as a Treatment for Shoulder Instability. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12126025/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.