Abstract
BackgroundOne of the currently used surgical techniques in isolated type II SLAP lesions is arthroscopic SLAP repair. Postoperatively, patients tend to suffer from a prolonged period of pain and are restricted in their sports activities for at least 6 months. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical outcome as well as the postoperative course of pain after arthroscopic type II SLAP repair.MethodsOutcome measures were assessed using the Individual Relative Constant Score (CSindiv), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Data were collected preoperatively, as well as at 3, 6, 12 and >24 months postoperatively.ResultsEleven patients with an average age of 31.8 years (range: 22.8-49.8 years) underwent arthroscopic repair of isolated type II SLAP lesions. Mean follow-up time was 41.9 months (range: 36.1–48.4 months). 6 months after surgery, there was a statistically significant improvement of function according to the CSindiv (p = 0.004), the ASES Score (p = 0.006), and the SF-36 subscale “physical functioning” (p = 0.014) and a statistically significant decrease of pain according to the VAS (p = 0.007) and the SF-36 subscale “bodily pain” (p = 0.022) compared to preoperative levels.ConclusionsArthroscopic repair of isolated type II SLAP lesions with suture anchors leads to a satisfactory functional outcome and return to pre-injury sports levels, with delayed, but significant pain relief observed 6 months after surgery. Thus, a return to sports should not be allowed earlier than 6 months after surgery, when patients have reached pain-free function and recovered strength.Trial registrationResearchregistry1761 (UIN).
Highlights
One of the currently used surgical techniques in isolated type II Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions is arthroscopic SLAP repair
Only patients who fulfilled the following criteria were included for analysis: (a) Patients presenting with an isolated type II SLAP lesion which was (b) verified by magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), (c) who would be available for at least 24 months of follow-up after surgery and (d) for whom a complete data set was available
Exclusion criteria were as follows: (a) The presence of any concomitant lesions, including a partialor full-thickness rotator cuff tear, symptomatic acromioclavicular joint arthrosis, or a labral tear requiring a repair outside the SLAP region, (b) additional repairs being performed at the time of surgery, (c) a follow-up time of less than 24 months or being lost to follow-up, and (d) possession of an incomplete data set
Summary
One of the currently used surgical techniques in isolated type II SLAP lesions is arthroscopic SLAP repair. Lesions to the long head of the biceps tendon were first described in baseball players by James Andrews in 1985 [1]. In an analysis of 140 injuries, Snyder observed that an isolated type II SLAP lesion was found in one third of patients [3], though most of the lesions (up to 88% of cases) were shown to have occurred with concomitant shoulder pathologies (e.g., Bankart lesions, rotator cuff tears or osteoarthritis of the humeral head) [3, 4]. In cases of type II SLAP lesions in young and active patients, fixation of the long head of the biceps tendon is recommended in order to restore the anatomical structures of the shoulder joint. There are, other techniques – such as biceps tenodesis or tenotomy [6, 7] – which yield good-to-excellent results, and with earlier pain relief
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
