Contribution of arthroscopy in the treatment of anterior glenoid rim fractures: a comparison with open surgery

Abstract

This study assessed the clinical and radiologic outcomes of Ideberg type IA glenoid fractures treated using conventional open surgery compared with those treated with arthroscopic surgery. This was a retrospective, multicenter study of anterior glenoid rim fractures (Ideberg IA) treated with conventional open surgery (group O) or arthroscopic surgery (group A). Included were 56 patients: 10 in group O and 46 in group A. The patients were reviewed after a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. The Constant score was used as an objective clinical outcome. Radiographs were reviewed to assess the quality of the postoperative reduction, fracture healing, complications, and whether osteoarthritis was present at the last follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 12-115 months), there was no significant difference between the groups based on the Constant Score (group O: 74 points; group A: 84 points, P = .07). None of the shoulders showed signs of instability. Conversely, the rate of postoperative complications was higher in group O than in group A (30% vs. 4%; P = .03). Glenohumeral osteoarthritis was found in 10% of group O patients and 18% of group A patients (P = .65). This study shows that anterior glenoid rim fractures have similar functional outcomes, whether treated using conventional open surgery or arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery appears to reduce the complication and reoperation rate.