Arthroscopic management of work-related overhead shoulder injuries: A retrospective case series

Abstract

Objective This study was conducted to review the results of arthroscopic management of different work-related overhead shoulder injuries. Background Acute and overuse shoulder injuries are common among overhead workers, usually with secondary compromised glenohumeral stability due to mechanical damage, muscular fatigue, and neuromuscular control deficits. Patients and methods This study was conducted retrospectively on 30 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy for the diagnosis and management of different work-related overhead shoulder injuries with minimum postoperative follow-up of 6 months. Patients had been reviewed for history, examination, arthroscopic findings, and lines of management. Patients had been evaluated using University of California Los Anglos score. Results The mean age of patients was 47.7 years. There were 14 male and 16 female patients. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 27 months. Subacromial impingement was evident in all 30 (100%) patients. Rotator cuff tear was found in 26 (86.7%) patients. Pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon was found in 19 (63.3%) patients. Superior labrum anterior posterior lesions were found in all 30 (100%) patients. The active range of motions showed highly significant postoperative improvement (P = 0.000). The mean overall University of California Los Anglos score showed highly significant improvement from 11.9 ± 4.088 preoperatively to 32.37 ± 2.141 postoperatively (P = 0.000). Conclusion Overhead work can cause different shoulder injuries; the most common lesions are superior labrum anterior posterior lesions, rotator cuff tears 'partial-thickness more than full-thickness', and less commonly biceps tendon lesions. Arthroscopic management even of concurrent procedures can achieve satisfactory outcomes.