Anatomical study for SLAP lesion repair

Primary Double-Pulley SLAP Repair in an Active-Duty Military Population With Type II SLAP Lesions Results in Improved Outcomes and Low Failure Rates at Minimum Six Years of Follow-up

Purpose

To report mid-term outcomes of active-duty patients younger than the age of 35 years with shoulder type II SLAP lesions following our technique for double-pulley SLAP repair (DPSR).

Methods

All consecutive patients aged 18 to 35 years from January 2014 through December 2015 who underwent primary DPSR by the senior surgeon with complete outcome scores were identified. The clinical significance measures (patient acceptable symptomatic state [PASS], substantial clinical benefit [SCB], minimal clinically important difference [MCID]) have not yet been fully defined for type II SLAP repair procedures, so the values for biceps tenodesis were used as a stand-in. Patients were excluded if they were lost to follow-up of if they underwent a concomitant rotator cuff repair. Outcome measures were completed by patients within 1 week before surgery and at latest follow-up.

Results

Overall, 22 of 41 (53.7%) patients met the inclusion criteria for the study, and all were active-duty military at time of surgery. In total, 21 of 22 (95.5%) patients met the PASS, whereas 20 of 22 (90.9%) achieved SCB and 22 of 22 (100.0%) exceeded the MCID for their operative shoulder as determined by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. In total, 19 of 22 (86.4%) patients met the PASS, whereas 22 of 22 (100.0%) achieved SCB and exceeded the MCID for their operative shoulder as determined by the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. In addition, 21 of 22 (95.5%) met the PASS, whereas 22 of 22 (100%) achieved SCB and exceeded the MCID for their operative shoulder as determined by the pain visual analog scale. Pre- and postoperative range of motion did not vary significantly. In total, 18 of 22 (81.8%) of patients remained on active duty and were able to return to preinjury work and recreation activity levels. In 2 patients (9.09%), the repair did not heal.

Conclusions

Mid-term outcomes in this population of young, active-duty patients undergoing DPSR for type II SLAP tears demonstrate a statistically and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes and an overall return to active-duty rate of 81.8%.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Disabled Throwing Shoulder 2021 Update: Part 1-Anatomy and Mechanics

The purpose of this article is to provide updated information for sports health care specialists regarding the Disabled Throwing Shoulder (DTS). A panel of experts, recognized for their experience and expertise in this field, was assembled to address and provide updated information on several topics that have been identified as key areas in creating the DTS spectrum. Each panel member submitted a concise presentation on one of the topics within these areas, each of which were then edited and sent back to the group for their comments and consensus agreement in each area. Part 1 presents the following consensus conclusions and summary findings regarding anatomy and mechanics, including: 1) The current understanding of the DTS identifies internal impingement, resulting from a combination of causative factors, as the final common pathway for the great majority of the labral pathoanatomy; 2) intact labral anatomy is pivotal for glenohumeral stability, but its structure does not control or adapt well to shear or translational loads; 3) the biceps plays an active role in dynamic glenohumeral stability by potentiating "concavity compression" of the glenohumeral joint; 4) the ultimate function of the kinetic chain is to optimize the launch window, the precise biomechanical time, and position for ball release to most effectively allow the ball to be thrown with maximum speed and accuracy, and kinetic chain function is most efficient when stride length is optimized; 5) overhead throwing athletes demonstrate adaptive bony, capsular, and muscular changes in the shoulder with repetitive throwing, and precise measurement of shoulder range of motion in internal rotation, external rotation, and external rotation with forearm pronation is essential to identify harmful and/or progressive deficits. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Biceps Tenodesis as an Attractive Alternative to Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) Repair for Type II SLAP Lesions in Active-Duty Military Patients Younger Than 35 Years

BACKGROUND

Biceps tenodesis has been suggested as a superior surgical technique compared with isolated labral repair for superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears in patients older than 35 years. The superiority of this procedure in younger patients, however, is yet to be determined.

PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of arthroscopic SLAP repair with those of arthroscopic-assisted subpectoral biceps tenodesis for type II SLAP tears in active-duty military patients younger than 35 years.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative evaluations with a minimum 5-year follow-up including the visual analog scale (VAS), the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score were administered, and scores were compared between 2 groups of patients younger than 35 years. One group included 25 patients who underwent SLAP repair, and the second group included 23 patients who underwent arthroscopic-assisted subpectoral biceps tenodesis.

RESULTS

The preoperative patient age (P = .3639), forward flexion (P = .8214), external rotation (P = .5134), VAS pain score (P = .4487), SANE score (P = .6614), and ASES score (P = .6519) did not vary significantly between the 2 study groups. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in function as measured by the ASES and SANE and decreases in pain as measured by the VAS at a minimum of 5 years postoperatively. Also at a minimum of 5 years postoperatively, patients in the tenodesis group had lower pain (1.3 vs 2.6, respectively; P = .0358) and higher SANE (84.0 vs 63.3, respectively; P = .0001) and ASES (85.7 vs 75.4, respectively; P = .0342) scores compared with those in the repair group. Failure rate was 20.0% in the repair group versus 0.0% in the tenodesis group (P = .0234).

CONCLUSION

Active-duty military patients younger than 35 years with type II SLAP tears had more predictable improvement in pain, better functional outcomes, and lower failure rates after biceps tenodesis compared with SLAP repair for type II SLAP tears. Overall, the results of this study indicate that arthroscopic- assisted subpectoral biceps tenodesis is superior to arthroscopic SLAP repair for the treatment of type II SLAP tears in military patients younger than 35 years.

Imaging of shoulder instability

The shoulder enjoys the widest range of motion of all the joints in the human body, therefore requires a delicate balance between stability and motility. The glenohumeral joint is inclined to fall into two main instability categories: macro and micro. Macroinstability can be traumatic or atraumatic, with anterior or posterior dislocation of the humeral head. Microinstability falls within the broader section of acquired instability in overstressed shoulder caused by repeated joint stress. Anterior traumatic instability is the most frequent entity and a relatively common injury in young and athletic population. While shoulder instability is a clinical diagnosis, imaging impacts the patient management by detailing the extent of injury, such as capsulo-labral-ligamentous tears, fracture, and/or dislocation, describing the predisposing anatomic conditions and guide the therapetic choice. The aim of this comprehensive review is to cover the imaging findings of shoulder instability by different imaging techniques.

Surgical management of type II superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions: a review of outcomes and prognostic indicators

A Type II SLAP (superior labrum anterior posterior) lesion is a tear of the superior glenoid labrum with involvement of the long head of the biceps tendon insertion. In patients that do not improve with conservative treatment, there is a great deal of variability in the surgical management of these injuries that includes arthroscopic SLAP repair, arthroscopic SLAP repair with biceps tenodesis, biceps tenodesis alone and biceps tenotomy. Each surgical technique has specific effects on a patient's postoperative course and functional recovery. Rehabilitation strategies may be best formulated on an individual basis with an open line of communication between the operating surgeon and the physical therapist. Despite an increased incidence in treatment, there is currently no consensus on the optimal surgical procedure or treatment algorithm for Type II SLAP injuries. However, in middle-aged or older patients (>35) with Type II SLAP tears, either arthroscopic suprapectoral or mini-open subpectoral biceps tenodesis is recommended due to the higher failure rates observed with arthroscopic SLAP repair in this patient group. Although more patients present with a 'Popeye' sign after biceps tenotomy, long-term functional outcome is similar between biceps tenodesis compared to tenotomy. However, more patients will experience biceps fatigue or cramping after the tenotomy procedure. Biceps tenodesis is preferred in younger, more active patients, while tenotomy is preferred in the middle-aged or older and lower demand patients. The aim of this paper is to provide a brief description of the different surgical techniques employed to address Type II SLAP lesions (arthroscopic repair, biceps tenodesis, and biceps tenotomy) and provide a review of available literature regarding outcomes and prognostic factors associated with each technique.

SLAP lesions: current controversies

Knowledge of the pertinent anatomy, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment of the spectrum of injuries involving the superior glenoid labrum and biceps origin is required in treating the patient with a superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) tear.Despite the plethora of literature regarding SLAP lesions, their clinical diagnosis remains challenging for a number of reasons.First, the diagnostic value of many of the available physical examination tests is inconsistent and ambiguous.Second, SLAP lesions most commonly occur concomitantly with other shoulder injuries.Third, SLAP lesions have no specific associated pain pattern.Outcomes following surgical treatment of SLAP tears vary depending on the method of treatment, associated pathology and patient characteristics.Biceps tenodesis has been receiving increasing attention as a possible treatment for SLAP tears. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:25-32. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180033.

An anatomical investigation of clock face landmarks around the glenoid for shoulder arthroscopy orientation

BACKGROUND

For shoulder arthroscopy, few anatomical landmarks are available and inexperienced surgeons tend to be adrift due to the limited visual field of the scope. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the useful landmarks around the glenoid for accurate orientation, and also the safe distance to avoid suprascapular nerve injury during surgical procedures around the glenoid.

METHODS

In 15 human solution-fixed cadavers, a cross-section of the shoulder joint on the labrum surface was created. The positions of the principal anatomical structures surrounding the glenoid were marked on the labrum and measured using our clock face indication system. In 9 shoulders the distances from the labral surface to the spinoglenoid notch were recorded. As an indicator of the scapula size, the distances between the superior and inferior angles of the scapula were also measured.

RESULTS

The average landmark positions in the right shoulder were as follows: center of the attachment of the long tendon 11:59, anterior edge of the supraspinatus 11:59, posterior edge of the base of the coracoid process 12:13, superior edge of the subscapularis 1:03, anterior edge of the base of the coracoid process 1:25, inferior edge of the subscapularis 5:27, inferior edge of the teres minor 6:21, border of the infraspinatus and teres minor 7:43, center of the scapula spine 10:06, border of the supra and infraspinatus 10:27. The average distance from the labral surface to the spinoglenoid notch was 23.17 mm, and that from the superior to inferior angle was 144.93 mm. The Pearson correlation coefficient for these distances was 0.007.

CONCLUSIONS

The locations of anatomical landmarks surrounding the glenoid were reliably demonstrated using our clock face indication system. The expected distance from the labral surface to the suprascapular nerve was approximately 23 mm, irrespective of the size of the scapula.

A new anatomic technique for type II SLAP lesions repair

PURPOSE

A new and more anatomical technique for SLAP II lesions repair is described. It consists in the reattachment of the medial aspect of the biceps anchor to the superior glenoid neck with a mattress stitch posterior and medial to the biceps anchor and a simple stitch placed anteriorly to the biceps.

METHODS

From 2011 to 2012, 14 patients matching the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. A visual analogic scale, ROWE, UCLA, ASES and Constant scores were used to make evaluation. The passive ROM before surgery, at final follow-up, and the resumption of sports activities were analysed.

RESULTS

The Constant, ASES, UCLA and ROWE scores passed from 64.6 (SD 13.9), 76.9 (SD 22.4), 28.4 (SD 23.8) and 53.6 (SD 20.6) to, respectively, 92.6 (SD 11.8), 108.3 (SD 8.5), 33.6 (SD 2.7) and 96.5 (SD 7.2) at final follow-up. Of the four patients who had participated in agonistic overhead athletics preoperatively, all of them were able to return to their preinjury level. No complications were observed in the present study.

CONCLUSION

In our technique, the anatomy is respected leaving the articular aspect of the superior labrum loose and reinforcing the medial side. The clinical relevance of this work is that probably this technique could improve clinical results, giving a better mobility of the shoulder and a return to the same preoperative level in overhead athletes.

The Double-Pulley Anatomic Technique for Type II SLAP Lesion Repair

The annual incidence and number of repairs of SLAP lesions in the United States are constantly increasing. Surgical repairs of type II SLAP lesions have overall good success rates. However, a low satisfaction rate and low rate of return to preinjury level of play remain a challenge with elite overhead and throwing athletes. Recent anatomic studies suggest that current surgical techniques over-tension the biceps anchor and the superior labrum. These studies suggest that restoration of the normal anatomy will improve clinical outcomes and sports performance. We present a "double-pulley" technique for arthroscopic fixation of type II SLAP lesions. In this technique the normal anatomy is respected by preserving the mobility of the articular aspect of the superior labrum while reinforcing the biceps anchor and its posterior fibers medially.