Glenoid Pathology, Skeletal Immaturity, and Multiple Preoperative Instability Events Are Risk Factors for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability After Arthroscopic Stabilization in Adolescent Athletes

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in 488 Adolescents Between 2000 and 2020: Risk Factors for Subsequent Recurrent Instability Requiring Revision Stabilization

BACKGROUND

After arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR) for anterior glenohumeral instability (GHI), adolescent athletes have higher rates of subsequent recurrent GHI than any other subpopulation. Elucidating which adolescents are at highest risk of postoperative recurrent GHI may optimize surgical decision-making.

PURPOSE

To identify prognostic factors associated with subsequent recurrent GHI requiring revision stabilization surgery (RSS) after ABR.

STUDY DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The study included patients 12 to 21 years old who had undergone ABR for anterior GHI at a pediatric tertiary care hospital by 1 of 5 sports medicine fellowship-trained surgeons between 2000 and 2020. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, with percentage of patients with recurrent GHI undergoing subsequent RSS, was used with a time-to-event outcome analysis. The Cox model effects were expressed as the hazard ratio (HR). All tests were 2-sided, with an alpha of .05.

RESULTS

Records of 488 adolescent patients with ABR (78% male; mean age, 16.9 ± 1.98 years) were analyzed. Of these, 86 patients (17.6%) underwent subsequent RSS for recurrent GHI, yielding a cumulative risk of 8.8% at 2 years, 16.5% at 5 years, and 20% at 15 years. RSS occurred at a mean of 2.6 ± 2.1 years after ABR. Risk factors for RSS included >1 preoperative dislocation (2 dislocations: HR = 7.4, P = .0003; ≥3 dislocations: HR = 10.9, P < .0001), presence of a Hill-Sachs lesion (small: HR = 2.5, P = .0114; medium-large: HR = 4.2, P = .0004), younger age (1-year decrease: HR = 1.2, P = .0015), and participation in contact sports (HR = 1.8, P = .01). Adolescents with only 1 preoperative dislocation had a cumulative incidence of RSS (3.2%), which was significantly lower than those with 2 (24.2%) or ≥3 preoperative dislocations (33.5%).

CONCLUSION

The number of dislocations before index ABR was the strongest risk factor for recurrent GHI requiring RSS in adolescents with anterior GHI, with 2 dislocations conferring >7-fold increased risk compared with a single preoperative dislocation. Other significant risk factors included the presence of a Hill-Sachs lesion, younger age, and participation in contact sports.

Glenohumeral morphological predictors of recurrent shoulder instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate glenohumeral morphological features on a magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) to determine risk factors for recurrence of anterior shoulder instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent ABR between 2012 and 2017 was performed to identify patients who had recurrence of instability following stabilisation (Group 1). These were pair-matched in a 2:1 ratio for age, gender and sport with a control (Group 2) who underwent ABR without recurrence. Preoperative MRAs were evaluated for risk factors for recurrence, with glenoid bone loss and Hill-Sachs lesions also measured. Multilinear and multilogistic regression models were used to evaluate factors affecting recurrence.

RESULTS

Overall, 72 patients were included in this study, including 48 patients without recurrence and 24 patients with recurrent instability. There was a significant difference between the two groups in mean glenoid bone loss (Group 1: 7.3% vs. Group 2: 5.7%, p < 0.0001) and the rate of off-track Hill-Sachs lesions (Group 1: 20.8% vs. Group 2: 0%, p = 0.0003). Of the variables analysed in logistic regression, increased glenoid anteversion (p = 0.02), acromioclavicular (AC) degeneration (p = 0.03) and increased Hill-Sachs width were associated with increased risk of failure. Increased chondral version (p = 0.01) and humeral head diameter in the anteriorposterior view were found to be protective and associated with a greater likelihood of success.

CONCLUSION

Glenoid anteversion was a risk factor for recurrent instability, whereas increased chondral version and humeral head diameter were associated with higher rates of success following ABR. Glenoid bone loss, presence of an off-track Hill-Sachs lesion, increased Hill-Sachs width and AC degeneration were also associated with failure. These findings should be used by surgeons to stratify risk for recurrence following ABR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Comparison of Return to Sports and Competition After the Arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet Procedure Versus Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Adolescents With Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability

BACKGROUND

The use of isolated soft tissue repair versus bone block stabilization for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability in adolescents has no scientific evidence.

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes of adolescent patients who underwent isolated arthroscopic Bankart (iB) repair with those who underwent the arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet procedure in addition to Bankart (BLB) repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A total of 60 shoulders in adolescents (aged 13-18 years) were reviewed with a minimum 2 years' follow-up: iB repair (n = 36) and arthroscopic Bankart repair with an additional Bristow-Latarjet procedure (BLB; n = 24). The characteristics of the patients in each group in terms of age at the first instability episode, age at surgery, hyperlaxity, participation in at-risk sports, and Instability Severity Index Score were comparable. The mean follow-up was longer in the iB group (7.7 vs 4.1 years, respectively), whereas the rates of patients engaged in competition and those with glenoid lesions were higher in the BLB group. The primary outcome measures were failure, defined as the recurrence of instability (clinical dislocation or subluxation), and return to sports. The mean follow-up was 6.2 years (range, 2-16 years).

RESULTS

At the last follow-up, the rate of recurrence was significantly higher in the iB group, with 22% (8/36) failures, than in the BLB group, with 8% (2/24) instability recurrences (P < .05). The rate of return to sports at the same level was significantly higher after the BLB repair than after iB repair (79% vs 47%, respectively; P < .001). No statistical difference was found in patient-reported outcome scores between treatment groups (P > .05). Although failures occurred early after the BLB repair, 88% of failures after iB repair occurred after 2 years. On multivariate analysis, adolescents in the iB group with >3 episodes of preoperative dislocation and shoulder hyperlaxity (external rotation >90°) had a 60% recurrence rate (P < .005).

CONCLUSION

Adolescent patients undergoing the BLB repair had a lower rate of recurrent instability and higher rates of return to sports and competition than those undergoing iB repair. Patients with shoulder hyperlaxity (external rotation >90°) and >3 dislocations had an unacceptable failure rate of 60% after iB repair.

Current Evidence Regarding Shoulder Instability in the Paediatric and Adolescent Population

Paediatric and adolescent shoulder instability is caused by a unique combination of traumatic factors, ligamentous laxity, and pattern of muscle contractility. The multifactorial nature of its aetiology makes interpretation of the literature difficult as nomenclature is also highly variable. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature and shed light on the nuances of paediatric and adolescent shoulder instability. The epidemiology, clinical features, imaging, and management of all forms of paediatric shoulder instability are presented. The main findings of this review are that structural abnormalities following a dislocation are uncommon in pre-pubertal paediatric patients. Young post-pubertal adolescents are at the highest risk of failure of non-operative management in the setting of traumatic instability with structural abnormality, and early stabilisation should be considered for these patients. Remplissage and the Latarjet procedure are safe treatment options for adolescents at high risk of recurrence, but the side-effect profile should be carefully considered. Patients who suffer from instability due to generalized ligamentous laxity benefit from a structured, long-term physiotherapy regimen, with surgery in the form of arthroscopic plication as a viable last resort. Those who suffer from a predominantly muscle patterning pathology do not benefit from surgery and require focus on regaining neuromuscular control.

Clinical Outcomes of Adolescents With Anterior Shoulder Instability and Glenolabral Articular Disruption Lesions Compared With Isolated Bankart Lesions

Background

Glenolabral articular disruption (GLAD) lesions may occur in adolescents with anterior shoulder instability, resulting in articular cartilage loss and reduced functional glenoid surface area.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To compare failure rates and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between adolescents with versus without GLAD lesions who were treated for anterior shoulder instability with arthroscopic stabilization. It was hypothesized that the comparison would yield no significant differences.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Patients aged ≤18 years who were treated for anterior shoulder instability with arthroscopic stabilization between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively identified. Those patients with a GLAD lesion identified at the time of surgery were compared with patients with >2 years of retrospective follow-up who were matched to the no-GLAD cohort according to pathology and management. Demographic and patient characteristics including recurrent instability, complications, and reoperations were recorded. All patients in the GLAD cohort were contacted to obtain PRO data, including the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation; the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; and the Pediatric Adolescent Shoulder Survey. Patients were also asked about recurrent instability and additional shoulder problems.

Results

Of 35 included patients (mean age, 15.4 ± 1.6 years; 80% male), 15 patients (43%) with GLAD lesions and 26 patients without GLAD lesions were identified. Both cohorts had similar patient characteristics, number of anchors, and anchor constructs; the mean follow-up period was significantly different (GLAD vs no-GLAD, 6.9 ± 3.3 vs 3.4 ± 1.2 years, respectively; P < .001). Seven of 15 GLAD patients (46.7%) underwent loose body removal; 4 of 15 GLAD patients (26.6%) and 9 of 26 no-GLAD patients (34.6%) had recurrent subjective instability (P = .7). No significant group differences were found in PRO scores, reoperation rates (15% no-GLAD vs 20% GLAD), or percentage of patients with recurrent instability between cohorts (P > .05).

Conclusion

Adolescent patients with and without GLAD lesions treated arthroscopically for anterior shoulder instability had similar PROs and failure rates at intermediate duration of follow-up. GLAD lesions may be managed in a similar surgical manner as isolated Bankart tears in teenagers, with expectations of similar outcomes.

Posterior Shoulder Instability but Not Anterior Shoulder Instability Is Related to Glenoid Version

Purpose

To assess and compare glenoid version in patients with anterior shoulder instability (ASI), posterior shoulder instability (PSI), and a control group.

Methods

The operative notes of all patients that had undergone arthroscopic shoulder instability repair between January 2017 and May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were then analyzed, and glenoid version was measured by a single blinded observer. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 100 patients included in the ASI group, 65 in PSI group, and 100 in the control group. The mean glenoid versions for the ASI group were -16°, -9.1°, and -9.2° for the vault version, simplified vault version, and chondrolabral version, respectively. The mean glenoid versions for the PSI group were -21°, -13.4°, and -16.6° for the vault version, simplified vault version, and chondrolabral version, respectively. The mean versions for the control group were -17.8°, -9.5°, and -9.8° for the vault version, simplified vault version and chondrolabral version, respectively. ANOVA testing and post hoc comparisons revealed the PSI group to be significantly more retroverted than both other groups P < .001. The ASI group's degree of glenoid version was not significantly different to that of the control P = .009.

Conclusion

Patients with PSI have a higher degree of retroversion in comparison to those with ASI and control. There is no significant difference in glenoid version among patients with ASI when compared with control.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Pediatric and Adolescent Shoulder Instability

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Traumatic and atraumatic shoulder instability is common in pediatric and adolescent patients. It is well-established that young patients with anterior shoulder dislocation are at high risk of recurrent instability. This review assesses the current literature pertaining to management of both anterior instability and MDI in the pediatric and adolescent populations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current research suggests that pediatric and adolescent patients with shoulder instability have excellent outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair; however, higher rates of recurrent instability requiring revision surgical management have been identified in patients with more than one dislocation episode pre-operatively, those with Hill-Sachs lesions and those under age 16. The addition of the remplissage procedure to an arthroscopic Bankart repair may be useful in preventing recurrent instability for patients with large Hill-Sachs lesions. Open procedures with bony glenoid augmentation may be indicated in patients with significant glenoid bone loss, or those who have failed primary surgical management, with promising outcomes reported following the Latarjet coracoid process transfer procedure in the adolescent population. Pediatric and adolescent patients with hyperlaxity, and those participating in swimming or gymnastics are more likely to have multidirectional instability (MDI). Non-surgical management with physical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for MDI with positive outcomes reported overall. In young patients with MDI who continue to have symptoms of instability and pain that effects daily activities or sports despite an adequate and appropriate course of rehabilitation, surgical management with capsulorrhaphy may be considered, with promising outcomes reported for both open and arthroscopic techniques. Attentive selection of timing and surgical procedure for pediatric and adolescent patients with anterior shoulder instability may help to prevent recurrent instability following shoulder stabilization. Although most pediatric and adolescent patients with MDI do well following non-surgical management alone, those that fail conservative management have good outcomes following arthroscopic or open capsulorrhaphy.

Pediatric Shoulder Arthroscopy is Effective and Most Commonly Indicated for Instability, Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy, and Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the literature on pediatric shoulder arthroscopy and outline its indications, outcomes, and complications.

Methods

This systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and OVID Medline were searched for studies reporting the indications, outcomes, or complications in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy under the age of 18 years. Reviews, case reports, and letters to the editor were excluded. Data extracted included surgical techniques, indications, preoperative and postoperative functional and radiographic outcomes, and complications. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool.

Results

Eighteen studies, with a mean MINORS score of 11.4/16, were identified, including a total of 761 shoulders (754 patients). Weighted average age was 13.6 years (range, 0.83-18.8 years) with a mean follow-up time of 34.6 months (range, 6-115). As part of their inclusion criteria, 6 studies (230 patients) recruited patients with anterior shoulder instability and 3 studies recruited patients with posterior shoulder instability (80 patients). Other indications for shoulder arthroscopy included obstetric brachial plexus palsy (157 patients) and rotator cuff tears (30 patients). Studies reported a significant improvement in functional outcomes for arthroscopy indicated for shoulder instability and obstetric brachial plexus palsy. A significant improvement was also noted in radiographic outcomes and range of motion for obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients. The overall rate of complication ranged from 0% to 25%, with 2 studies reporting no complications. The most common complication was recurrent instability (38 patients of 228 [16.7%]). Fourteen of the 38 patients (36.8%) underwent reoperation.

Conclusion

Among pediatric patients, shoulder arthroscopy was indicated most commonly for instability, followed by brachial plexus birth palsy, and partial rotator cuff tears. Its use resulted in good clinical and radiographic outcomes with limited complications.

Level of Evidence

Systematic review of Level II to IV studies.

Early Treatment of Shoulder Pathology Is Necessary but Not Enough Is Being Performed

Delayed treatment of shoulder instability results in bone loss requiring more-complicated surgery, in turn resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Similarly, delayed treatment of repairable rotator cuff tears results in irreparable tears requiring more-complicated surgery and resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Delayed treatment of shoulder pathology is a problem. Solutions include education and research investigation.

The Effect of Glenoid Version on Glenohumeral Instability

In recent years, an appreciation for the dynamic relationship between glenoid and humeral-sided bone loss and its importance to the pathomechanics of glenohumeral instability has substantially affected modern treatment algorithms. However, comparatively less attention has been paid to the influence of glenoid version on glenohumeral instability. Limited biomechanical data suggest that alterations in glenoid version may affect the forces necessary to destabilize the glenohumeral joint. However, this phenomenon has not been consistently corroborated by the results of clinical studies. Although increased glenoid retroversion may represent an independent risk factor for posterior glenohumeral instability, this relationship has not been reliably observed in the setting of anterior glenohumeral instability. Similarly, the effect of glenoid version on the failure rates of surgical stabilization procedures remains poorly understood.

Editorial Commentary: Anterior Shoulder Instability in Adolescent Athletes: "Slaying the Hydra" Is a Subtle Art

Anterior shoulder instability in adolescent athletes can be cumbersome to identify and treat. An algorithm is to divide the patients into primary and revision cases then to further subdivide patients who have glenoid bone loss <20% and/or an engaging or off-track Hill-Sachs lesion. A bipolar lesion with either of these conditions is an indication for a bone block open Laterjet procedure. In the revision setting, the threshold for Laterjet is lower. Soft-tissue lesions are indications for a Bankart or labral repair. With the proper attention given to concomitant labral, biceps, and rotator cuff pathology, Hill-Sachs lesions less than 1 cm are left alone. However, in situations where lesions are deeper than 1 cm, an arthroscopic remplissage is indicated. An optimal repair aims to create a labral bumper and a bony bed for the soft tissue to heal, whereas inferior quality of soft tissue indicates a segmental labral reconstruction. Reconstructing large capsular rents with torn ligaments with allograft anterior capsular repair is also needed for proper biomechanical restoration.