Anterior Shoulder Instability in the Military Athlete

Periostin Is a Biomarker for Anterior Shoulder Instability: Proteomic Analysis of Synovial Fluid

BACKGROUND

The incremental biological changes in the synovial microenvironment of the shoulder in acute and chronic instability that may contribute to joint degeneration are poorly understood. Proteomic analysis of synovial fluid in patients with shoulder instability may improve our understanding of proteins that are shed into shoulder synovial fluid after an injury.

HYPOTHESIS

Injury-specific factors such as the direction of instability and the severity of glenoid and humeral bone loss are associated with the proteome of synovial fluid in patients with shoulder instability.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

Synovial fluid lavage samples were compared between patients with anterior (n = 12) and posterior (n = 8) instability and those without instability (n = 5). Synovial proteins were identified with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Orthogonal validation of protein targets found to be significant on tandem mass spectrometry was performed in a separate set of prospective patients with Western blotting. Data were processed and analyzed, and P values were adjusted with the Benjamini-Hochberg method for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

A total of 25 patients were included. Tandem mass spectrometry identified 720 protein groups in synovial fluid of patients with shoulder instability. There were 4 synovial proteins that were significantly expressed in patients with anterior instability relative to posterior instability: periostin (POSTN) (adjusted P value = .03; log fold change [logFc] = 4.7), transforming growth factor beta-induced protein ig-h3 (adjusted P value = .05; logFc = 1.7), collagen type VI alpha-3 chain (adjusted P value = .04; logFc = 2.6), and coagulation factor V (adjusted P value = .04; logFc = -3.3). Among these targets, POSTN showed a moderate correlation with the Hill-Sachs lesion size (r = 0.7). Prospective validation with Western blotting confirmed a significantly higher level of POSTN in synovial fluid of patients with anterior instability (P = .00025; logFc = 5.1).

CONCLUSION

Proteomic analysis enriched our understanding of proteins that were secreted into shoulder synovial fluid of patients with shoulder instability. The identification of POSTN, a proinflammatory catabolic protein involved with tissue remodeling and repair, as a significant target in anterior shoulder instability is a novel finding. Therefore, further study is warranted to determine the role that POSTN may play in the progression of bone loss and posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Proteomic analysis of synovial fluid in patients with shoulder instability improved our understanding of this abnormality after an injury.

Arthroscopic remplissage: history, indications, and clinical outcomes

Several surgical procedures have been proposed to address anterior glenohumeral instability, which is one of the most common complaints in the general population. The remplissage, first described in early 2000s, is a procedure performed simultaneously with the arthroscopic Bankart repair to correct large, engaging Hill-Sachs lesions (HSLs). This procedure stabilizes the joint by tenodesing the infraspinatus tendon into the HSL to fill and disengage the defect. This procedure gained popularity because it has relatively low risk and is able to improve shoulder stability while being less invasive than other bone-blocking procedures. The remplissage has become a valuable add-on technique that can substantially improve outcomes in unstable patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair. Nevertheless, several studies in the literature have raised concerns regarding its efficacy in critically unstable patients and the potential range of motion limitations that can arise postoperatively. Additional comparative studies and trials should be conducted to appropriately establish the role of remplissage in treating anterior instability, especially in patients with critical bone loss.

Outcomes of Concomitant Glenohumeral Stabilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Military Patients Younger Than 40 Years

Background

While concomitant rotator cuff and inferior labral tears are relatively uncommon in young civilians, military populations represent a unique opportunity to study this injury pattern.

Purpose

To (1) evaluate the long-term outcomes after combined arthroscopic rotator cuff and inferior labral repair in military patients <40 years and (2) compare functional outcomes with those after isolated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Military patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between January 2011 and December 2016 and had a minimum of 5-year follow-up data were included in this study. The patients were categorized into those who had undergone combined arthroscopic rotator cuff and inferior labral repair (RCIL cohort) and those who had isolated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR cohort). Pre- and postoperative outcome measures-visual analog scale for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score, Rowe Instability Score, and range of motion-were compared between the groups.

Results

A total of 50 shoulders (27 in the RCIL cohort and 23 in the ARCR cohort) were assessed. The RCIL and ARCR groups were similar in terms of age (mean, 33.19 years [range, 21-39 years] vs 35.39 years [range, 26-39 years], respectively) and sex (% male, 88.46% vs 82.61%, respectively). All patients were active-duty military at the time of surgery. The mean final follow-up was at 106.93 ± 16.66 months for the RCIL group and 105.70 ± 7.52 months for the ARCR group (P = .75). There were no differences in preoperative outcome scores between groups. Postoperatively, both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in all outcome scores (P < .0001 for all), and there were no significant group differences in any final postoperative outcome measures. At the final follow-up, 26 (96.30%) patients in the RCIL cohort and 20 (86.96%) in the ARCR cohort had returned to unrestricted active-duty military service (P = .3223).

Conclusion

The study findings indicate that concomitant glenohumeral stabilization does not prevent worse outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in this military cohort. Combined repair produced statistically and clinically significant improvements in outcome scores at the long-term follow-up, indicating that simultaneous repair of combined lesions was an appropriate treatment option in this patient population.

Bipolar bone loss and distance to dislocation

Studies have shown that glenoid- and humeral-sided bone loss may be present in up to 73-93% of individuals with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. As such, bone loss must be addressed appropriately, as the amount of bone loss drives surgical decision making and influences outcomes. Methods to describe and measure bone loss have changed over time. Originally, glenoid and humeral bone loss were viewed separately. However, the concepts of bipolar bone loss, the glenoid track (GT), and "on/off-track" lesions arose, highlighting the interplay between the two entities in contributing to recurrent instability. Classically, "off-track" lesions have been described as those Hill-Sachs interval (HSI) greater than the GT, and have been shown to result in higher rates of re-instability when addressed nonoperatively or with Bankart repair alone. More recently, further attention has been given to "on-track" lesions (HSI < GT). The new concept of "distance to dislocation" (DTD) has gained popularity. DTD is calculated as the difference between the GT and HSI, and literature evaluating DTD suggests that not all "on-track" lesions should be treated in the same manner. The purpose of this concept review article is twofold: (I) describe glenoid, humeral, and bipolar bone loss in the setting of anterior shoulder instability; and (II) elaborate on the new concept of "DTD" and its use in guidance of management.

Concomitant Biceps Tenodesis Does Not Portend Inferior Outcomes After Anterior Glenohumeral Stabilization

BACKGROUND

Military patients are known to suffer disproportionately high rates of glenohumeral instability as well as superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears. Additionally, a concomitant SLAP tear is frequently observed in patients with anterior shoulder instability. Even though biceps tenodesis has been demonstrated to produce superior outcomes to SLAP repair in military patients with isolated SLAP lesions, no existing studies have reported on outcomes after simultaneous tenodesis and anterior labral repair in patients with co-existing abnormalities.

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes after simultaneous arthroscopic-assisted subpectoral biceps tenodesis and anterior labral repair in military patients younger than 40 years. We also sought to compare these outcomes with those after repair of an isolated anterior labral tear.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of all military patients younger than 40 years from a single base who underwent arthroscopic anterior glenohumeral stabilization with or without concomitant biceps tenodesis between January 2010 and December 2019. Patients with glenoid bone loss of >13.5% were not eligible for inclusion. Outcome measures including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, the Rowe instability score, and range of motion were administered preoperatively and postoperatively, and scores were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients met inclusion criteria for the study. All patients were active-duty service members at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 87.75 ± 27.05 months in the repair + tenodesis group and 94.07 ± 28.72 months in the isolated repair group (P = .3085). Patients who underwent repair + tenodesis had significantly worse preoperative VAS pain (6.85 ± 1.86 vs 5.02 ± 2.07, respectively; P < .001), ASES (51.78 ± 11.89 vs 62.43 ± 12.35, respectively; P = .0002), and Rowe (26.75 ± 7.81 vs 37.26 ± 14.91, respectively; P = .0002) scores than patients who underwent isolated repair. Both groups experienced significant improvements in outcome scores postoperatively (P < .0001 for all), and there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcome scores or range of motion between groups. There were no differences in the percentage of patients who achieved the minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit, and patient acceptable symptom state for the VAS pain, SANE, ASES, and Rowe scores between groups. Overall, 37 of the 40 (92.50%) patients in the repair + tenodesis group and 40 of the 42 (95.24%) patients in the isolated repair group returned to unrestricted active-duty military service (P = .6045). In addition, 38 (95.00%) patients in the repair + tenodesis group and 40 (95.24%) patients in the isolated repair group returned to preinjury levels of sporting activity (P = .9600). There were no significant differences in the number of failures, revision surgical procedures, or patients discharged from the military between groups (P = .9421, P = .9400, and P = .6045, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that simultaneous biceps tenodesis and labral repair was a viable treatment option for the management of concomitant SLAP and anterior labral lesions in young, active military patients younger than 40 years.

Arthroscopic Remplissage Combined With Bankart Repair Results in a Higher Rate of Return to Sport in Athletes Compared With Bankart Repair Alone or the Latarjet Procedure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Traumatic anterior shoulder instability affects athletes at a higher rate compared with the general population. In recent years, indications for arthroscopic remplissage, an adjunct procedure classically used to reduce the recurrence of anterior shoulder instability in patients with off-track Hill-Sachs lesions, have expanded.

PURPOSE

To investigate return-to-sport (RTS) rates, functional outcomes, and adverse events in athletes who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair with remplissage compared with surgical alternatives such as Bankart repair alone or the Latarjet procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A literature review of the Embase, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Web of Science databases was conducted for articles published before May 22, 2022. For the systematic review, 16 of 457 studies that reported RTS rates at any time point after remplissage were deemed eligible for inclusion in quantitative analysis and 17 of 457 studies in qualitative analysis. For the meta-analysis, 8 of 457 studies reported RTS rates after remplissage compared with surgical alternatives including Bankart repair alone or the Latarjet procedure and were deemed eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

In total, 538 athletes underwent remplissage and were included in the study. RTS at any level was achieved by 86% (395/457) of patients, and the odds of RTS at any level were significantly higher after remplissage compared with surgical alternatives (odds ratio [OR], 2.71 [95% CI, 1.14-6.43]; P = .02). The odds of RTS at a previous or higher level were also significantly higher after remplissage compared with surgical alternatives (OR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.29-3.31]; P = .002). The mean Rowe score increased significantly from 43.9 ± 7.77 preoperatively (n = 173) to 92.2 ± 4.02 after remplissage (n = 397) (P < .001), but there was no significant difference in Rowe scores between remplissage and surgical alternatives (P = .54). After remplissage, the recurrence rate was 5.0% for athletes (n = 220) and 7.3% for all patients (n = 634), with a mean time to recurrence of 24.0 ± 12.5 months. Reoperations occurred in 3.6% of athletes (n = 110) and 4.1% of all patients (n = 445). Recurrence and reoperations were significantly less likely after remplissage compared with surgical alternatives (OR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.08-0.39]; P < .001 and OR, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.06-0.50]; P = .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic Bankart repair with remplissage augmentation significantly improved RTS rates among athletes, both at any level and at previous levels of play. Additionally, remplissage appeared to significantly decrease recurrence and reoperation rates compared with surgical alternatives such as Bankart repair alone or the Latarjet procedure.

Artificial Intelligence Can Define and Predict the "Optimal Observed Outcome" After Anterior Shoulder Instability Surgery: An Analysis of 200 Patients With 11-Year Mean Follow-Up

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to use unsupervised machine learning clustering to define the "optimal observed outcome" after surgery for anterior shoulder instability (ASI) and to identify predictors for achieving it.

Methods

Medical records, images, and operative reports were reviewed for patients <40 years old undergoing surgery for ASI. Four unsupervised machine learning clustering algorithms partitioned subjects into "optimal observed outcome" or "suboptimal outcome" based on combinations of actually observed outcomes. Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were compared between groups using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Variables were assessed for prognostic value through multivariate stepwise logistic regression.

Results

Two hundred patients with a mean follow-up of 11 years were included. Of these, 146 (64%) obtained the "optimal observed outcome," characterized by decreased: postoperative pain (23% vs 52%; P < 0.001), recurrent instability (12% vs 41%; P < 0.001), revision surgery (10% vs 24%; P = 0.015), osteoarthritis (OA) (5% vs 19%; P = 0.005), and restricted motion (161° vs 168°; P = 0.001). Forty-one percent of patients had a "perfect outcome," defined as ideal performance across all outcomes. Time from initial instability to presentation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-0.98; P = 0.006) and habitual/voluntary instability (OR = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.77; P = 0.020) were negative predictors of achieving the "optimal observed outcome." A predilection toward subluxations rather than dislocations before surgery (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02-1.65; P = 0.030) was a positive predictor. Type of surgery performed was not a significant predictor.

Conclusion

After surgery for ASI, 64% of patients achieved the "optimal observed outcome" defined as minimal postoperative pain, no recurrent instability or OA, low revision surgery rates, and increased range of motion, of whom only 41% achieved a "perfect outcome." Positive predictors were shorter time to presentation and predilection toward preoperative subluxations over dislocations.

Level of Evidence

Retrospective cohort, level IV.

Anterior Shoulder Instability and Open Procedures: History, Indications, and Clinical Outcomes

The shoulder, being the most mobile joint in the human body, is often susceptible to dislocations and subluxations more so than other joints. As such, shoulder instability constitutes a common complaint among patients worldwide, especially those who are young, participate in contact sports, and have increased innate flexibility in their joints. Management options in the setting of instability vary between conservative and surgical options that aim to mitigate symptoms and allow return of function. Surgical options can be arthroscopic and open, with a general shift among surgeons towards utilizing arthroscopic surgery in the past several decades. Nevertheless, open procedures still play a role in managing shoulder instability patients, especially those with significant bone loss, recurrent instability, coexisting shoulder pathologies, and high risk of failure with arthroscopic surgery. In these clinical settings, open procedures, like the Latarjet procedure, open Bankart repair, glenoid bone augmentation using iliac crest autograft or distal tibial allograft, and salvage options like glenohumeral arthrodesis and arthroplasty may show good clinical outcomes and low recurrence rates. Each of these open procedures possesses its own set of advantages and disadvantages and entails a specific set of indications based on published literature. It is important to cater treatment options to the individual patient in order to optimize outcomes and reduce the risk of complications. Future research on open shoulder stabilization procedures should focus on the long-term outcomes of recently utilized procedures, investigate different graft options for procedures involving bone augmentation, and conduct additional comparative analyses in order to establish concrete surgical management guidelines.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Glenoid Bone Loss in Combined Shoulder Instability in Young, Active-Duty Military Patients

Background

US military servicemembers experience higher rates of posterior and combined-type instability as compared with their nonmilitary peers.

Purpose

(1) To determine the prevalence of glenoid bone loss (GBL) in young, active-duty military patients with combined-type shoulder instability who underwent operative shoulder stabilization; (2) to evaluate whether GBL is associated with differences in postoperative outcomes; and (3) to identify factors associated with larger defects.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

This study included active-duty military patients who underwent primary surgical shoulder stabilization for combined anterior and posterior capsulolabral tears between January 2012 and December 2018. Preoperative magnetic resonance arthrograms were used to calculate anterior, posterior, and total GBL using the "perfect circle" technique. We recorded patient characteristics, revisions, complications, return to duty, range of motion, and scores on multiple outcome measures (visual analog scale for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Rowe). GBL prevalence was compared by time to surgery, glenoid version, history of trauma, and number of anchors used for labral repair. Outcome scores, return to active duty, and revision procedures were compared by degree of anterior or posterior GBL: <13.5% (mild) versus ≥13.5% (subcritical).

Results

GBL was noted in 28 (77.8%) of the 36 patients. Nineteen (52.8%) patients had anterior GBL, 18 (50.0%) had posterior, and 9 (25.0%) had combined. Four (11.1%) patients had subcritical anterior or posterior GBL. Increased posterior GBL was associated with history of trauma (P = .041), time to surgery >12 months (P = .024), and glenoid retroversion ≥9° (P = .010); increased total GBL was associated with longer time to surgery (P = .023) and labral repair requiring >4 anchors (P = .012); and increased anterior GBL was associated with labral repair requiring >4 anchors (P = .011). There were statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures, with no changes in range of motion postoperatively. No significant difference on any outcome score was observed between patients with mild and subcritical GBL.

Conclusion

In our analysis, 78% of patients had appreciable GBL, suggesting that GBL is highly prevalent in this patient population. Longer time to surgery, traumatic cause, significant glenoid retroversion, and large labral tears were identified as risk factors for increased GBL.

Diagnosis of Posterior and Combined-Type Shoulder Instability: A 10-Year Cross-sectional Study From a Single Military Base

Background

Large variations exist in the reported frequency and etiology of posterior and combined shoulder instability in the active-duty military population.

Purpose

To compare imaging and clinical examination findings as well as reoperation rates between active-duty military patients who underwent surgery for anterior, posterior, and combined-type shoulder instability.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated surgically for shoulder instability from a single military base from January 2010 to December 2019. Each case was characterized as isolated anterior, isolated posterior, or combined, according to arthroscopic findings. Information was collected on patient characteristics, history of trauma, time to surgery, associated pathological findings, and survivorship at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Results

Overall, 416 patients (n = 394 men; n = 22 women), with a mean age of 29.1 years, underwent primary shoulder stabilization surgery during the study period. There were 158 patients (38%) with isolated anterior instability, 139 (33%) with isolated posterior instability, and 119 (29%) with combined instability. A history of trauma was more prevalent with isolated anterior instability (129 [81.7%]) than with either isolated posterior (95 [68.4%]) or combined instability (73 [61.3%]) (P = .047 and P = .001, respectively). Patients with anterior instability were significantly more likely to be diagnosed on the preoperative physical examination when compared with patients with posterior instability (93% vs 79.1%; P < .001) or combined instability (93% vs 75.6%; P < .001) and were also more likely to have a discrete labral tear detected on a preoperative magnetic resonance arthrogram than patients with posterior instability (82.9% vs 63.3%; P < .001). There was no significant difference in the rate of medical discharge or recurrent instability requiring reoperation between groups.

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that young, active-duty military patients are at increased risk for isolated posterior and combined-type shoulder instability, with posterior and combined instability collectively accounting for over 60% of instability cases in this cohort. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of instability when evaluating and treating young, active-duty military patients with shoulder pain, even in the absence of diagnostic physical examinations or imaging findings.

Outcomes following arthroscopic repair of humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesion: A systematic review

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate patient outcomes following arthroscopic surgical management for a humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesion.

Methods

Based on PRISMA guidelines, two independent reviewers performed a literature search to isolate studies on arthroscopic HAGL repair. The functional outcomes, return to play (RTP), and recurrent instability from each study were extracted and analyzed.

Results

Overall, 7 manuscripts were included with 49 patients. The patient population was 61.4% male with a mean age of 24.8 years (15-42 years), and 41.9 months of follow-up on average (12-104 months). The Rowe score was the most frequently reported outcome measure with a weighted mean of 89. In total, 81.2% of patients reported being able to RTP post-operatively, with 70.5% reported being able to play at an equal or higher level. There was 1 recurrent dislocation (2%).

Conclusion

The current study found successful clinical outcomes following the arthroscopic management of HAGL lesions. Recurrent dislocation requiring revision was rare, with high rates of return to play including those who could return to the same level of play. However, the paucity of evidence does not permit a statement of best-practice to be made.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet reconstruction in anterior shoulder instability

PURPOSE

The ideal surgical treatment for anterior shoulder instability is still under debate. In the healthcare setting, both clinical and economic factors must be considered for optimal resource allocation. From the clinical perspective, the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) is a helpful and validated tool for surgeons, although a gray area between 4 and 6 exists. In fact, patients with an ISIS < 4 and > 6 can be treated effectively with arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Latarjet, respectively. The purpose of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6.

METHODS

A decision-tree model was constructed to simulate the clinical scenario of an anterior shoulder dislocation patient with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Based on previously published literature, outcome probabilities and utility values in the form of Western Ontario Instability Score (WOSI) were assigned to each branch of the tree, alongside institutional cost. The primary outcome assessed was an Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the two procedures. Eden-Hybbinette was also considered in the model as a salvage procedure for failed Latarjet. A two-way sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most impactful parameters on the ICER upon their variation within a pre-determined interval.

RESULTS

Base case cost was 1245.57 € (1220.48-1270.65 €) for arthroscopic Bankart repair, 1623.10 € (1580.82-1665.39 €) for open Latarjet and 2.373.95 € (1940.81-2807.10 €) for Eden-Hybbinette. Base-case ICER was 9570.23 €/WOSI. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most impactful parameters were the utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair, the probability of success of open Latarjet, the probability of undergoing surgery after post-operative recurrence of instability and the utility of Latarjet. Of these, utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair and Latarjet had the most significant impact on the ICER.

CONCLUSION

From a hospital perspective, open Latarjet was more cost-effective than arthroscopic Bankart repair in preventing further shoulder instability in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Despite its several limitations, this is the first study to analyze this subgroup of patients from a European hospital setting from both an economic and clinical perspective. This study can help surgeons and administrations in the decision-making process. Further clinical studies are needed to prospectively analyze both aspects to further delineate the best strategy.

Shoulder instability in military personnel: diagnosis and outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation

INTRODUCTION

Shoulder instability is a common problem for military personnel due to the highly physical demands of work and training. This study assessed the pattern of glenoid labrum tears suffered by serving UK military personnel, the reliability of preoperative diagnostic methods (magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) vs clinical examination) and, finally, the outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation in terms of satisfaction, pain, and return to sport and full deployment.

METHODS

Retrospective demographic and clinical data were collected for all patients within our unit who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation between September 2016 and January 2019. Patients underwent clinical examination for instability and subsequent imaging with MRA. For service evaluation, patient-reported outcome measure data and occupational outcome data were gathered preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

41 military patients with shoulder instability were treated with arthroscopic stabilisation. 24.4% had an isolated anterior tear, and 41.5% had complex two-zone or pan-labral tears identified on arthroscopy. Clinical examination showed higher sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value for all labral tear patterns compared with MRA. Mean preoperative Oxford Shoulder Instability Score score was 18.58 (SE ±1.67) and mean postoperative score was 41.5 (SE ±1.13). 82.14% of the patients returned to full deployment during the study period and 85% had returned to sports.

CONCLUSION

Complex labral tear patterns are common in military personnel with shoulder instability, and clinical examination appears to be more effective than imaging at predicting injury pattern. Patients respond well to arthroscopic stabilisation with good rates of return to work and sport, regardless of chronicity of injury.

Simultaneous Arthroscopic Glenohumeral Stabilization and Glenoid Microfracture in Young, Active-Duty Military Patients: Outcomes at 5-Year Follow-up

Background

Glenohumeral instability represents a common cause of shoulder pain and disability among active-duty members of the military and is associated with the development of glenoid osteochondral defects.

Purpose

To report clinical outcomes and survivorship after combined microfracture of isolated chondral lesions of the glenoid and labral repair among young, active-duty military patients and to compare outcomes with those of patients who underwent isolated shoulder stabilization.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Included were 31 active-duty military patients aged <40 years who underwent simultaneous microfracture of chondral lesions of the glenoid and labral repair for shoulder instability between January 2011 and January 2017 (microfracture group) and 209 patients without chondral defects who underwent shoulder stabilization during the same time period (instability group). Preoperative and 5-year postoperative outcomes (range of motion [ROM], visual analog scale [VAS] for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation [SANE] score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] shoulder score, and Rowe instability score) were compared within and between groups, and separate subgroup analyses were performed to determine whether variant of instability and dominant-shoulder involvement were associated with worse outcomes.

Results

The mean follow-up was significantly longer for the microfracture group versus the instability group (95.58 ± 23.12 vs 83.38 ± 25.93 months; P = .014). Age and sex distributions were similar between groups. In both groups, there was significant pre- to postoperative improvement on all outcomes scores (P = .0001 for all). When compared with the instability cohort, microfracture patients had significantly worse postoperative VAS pain (2.65 ± 1.78 vs 1.55 ± 1.92; P = .003), SANE (79.13 ± 14.43 vs 91.23 ± 13.20; P < .0001), and ASES (79.90 ± 13.87 vs 89.03 ± 14.28; P = .001) scores, as well as decreased ROM in forward flexion (151.29° ± 11.76° vs 155.48° ± 10.3°; P = .039) and external rotation (63.65° ± 8.34° vs 65.17° ± 0.64°; P = .010). At latest follow-up, 58% of microfracture patients had returned to active-duty military service compared with 93.78% of isolated instability patients (P < .0001).

Conclusion

Combined microfracture and arthroscopic labral repair produced modest, albeit statistically significant, improvements in patient-reported outcome measures and may be a reasonable treatment option for patients with chondral lesions who are not candidates for arthroplasty. However, microfracture patients had significantly worse outcomes than patients who underwent stabilization without concomitant chondral defects.

Rehabilitation after Shoulder Instability Surgery

Shoulder instability can occur in any direction and presents across a broad spectrum including traumatic dislocations, repetitive microinstability events or subluxations, and global joint laxity. The development of pain, functional decline, and articular pathologic condition is a multifaceted process that is influenced by the underlying bony morphology, biology of the surrounding soft tissue structures, dynamic coordination of the periscapular musculature, and patient factors such as age, activity level, and associated injuries. This article will focus on the younger, active patient with instability due to deficiencies in the capsulolabral complex and dynamic stabilizers.

First-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: current concepts

The management of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations has been a topic of extensive study yet remains controversial. Development of a treatment plan requires an understanding of patient-specific considerations, including demographics, functional demands, and extent of pathology. Each of these can influence rates of recurrence and return to activity. The purpose of this review is to provide a framework for decision-making following a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation, with particular focus on the high-risk young and athletic population. A summary of surgical treatment options and their outcomes is outlined, along with future biomechanical and clinical perspectives.

Arthroscopic Posterior Labral Repair in Active-Duty Military Patients: A Reliable Solution for an At-Risk Population, Regardless of Anchor Type

BACKGROUND

Active-duty servicemembers are a population at risk for the development of posterior shoulder instability. While short-term outcomes after arthroscopic posterior labral repair for posterior shoulder instability are promising, there is a paucity of longer term follow-up data for this procedure.

PURPOSES

The primary purpose was to report midterm outcomes after arthroscopic posterior labral repair in active-duty military patients for posterior shoulder instability without bone loss. The secondary purpose was to determine if outcomes varied between anchor types used.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative outcomes, with a minimum 3-year follow-up, for a visual analog scale for pain, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Rowe score were collected and analyzed. A separate subgroup analysis was performed comparing the outcomes of patients who underwent repair with biocomposite anchors versus those who underwent repair with all-suture anchors.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients with a mean follow-up of 82.55 ± 24.20 months met the inclusion criteria and were available for analysis. As a whole, the cohort demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in outcome scores at final follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion did not vary significantly. While the difference in final outcome scores between the 2 anchor types did not reach statistical significance, a statistically significantly larger proportion of patients who underwent repair with all-suture anchors versus those who underwent repair with biocomposite anchors met the Patient Acceptable Symptom State for the SANE (97.14% vs 78.95%, respectively; P = .0180) and the ASES score (88.57% vs 68.42%, respectively; P = .0171). The proportion of patients who achieved the substantial clinical benefit or surpassed the minimal clinically important difference, however, did not vary by anchor type. Overall, 70 patients (95.89%) remained on active duty and were able to return to preinjury work and recreational activity levels. There were 3 patients (4.11%) who had recurrent posterior instability.

CONCLUSION

This population of active-duty servicemembers undergoing posterior labral repair for posterior labral instability without bone loss demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant improvement in midterm outcomes, a low recurrence rate, and a rate of return to active duty of 95.89%, regardless of the anchor type used.

Long-term Results of Arthroscopic Repair of Full-Thickness Traumatic Rotator Cuff Tears in Active Duty Military Patients Under the Age of 40 Years

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is an effective procedure through which to decrease pain and increase strength, with favorable long-term outcomes demonstrated in older patient populations with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The long-term outcomes after this procedure in younger, higher-demand patients, however, is not as clearly defined.

PURPOSE

To report on the long-term outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of traumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears in active duty military patients under the age of 40 years at the time of surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Preoperative, midterm, and final evaluations were collected, including scores on the visual analog scale for pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder form. A total of 42 patients were screened for inclusion: 3 underwent additional surgical procedures on the operative shoulder and 2 were lost to follow-up, leaving 37 patients with mean follow-up of 104.51 months available for analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing outcomes between patients with Southern California Orthopaedic Institute grade 1 or 2 tears and those with grade 3 or 4 tears.

RESULTS

At final follow-up, pain per the visual analog scale decreased to 1.16 from 8.03 (P < .0001); the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score increased to 87.32 from 48.24 (P < .0001); and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score increased to 88.68 from 41.00 (P < .0001). There was no statistically significant difference in outcome scores or range of motion between midterm and final follow-up. Improvement in outcome scores and range of motion at final follow-up did not vary between patients with small and large tears. Of 42 patients, 37 (88.1%) were able to return to full unrestricted active duty and sporting activity, while 5 (11.9%) were medically separated from the military.

CONCLUSION

Active duty military patients under the age of 40 years with traumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears had statistically and clinically significant increases in outcome scores and decreases in pain after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at long-term follow-up.

Social and Demographic Factors Impact Shoulder Stabilization Surgery in Anterior Glenohumeral Instability

Purpose

To assess independent predictors of surgery after an emergency department visit for shoulder instability, including patient-related and socioeconomic factors.

Methods

Patients presenting to the emergency department were identified in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from 2015 to 2018 by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for anterior shoulder dislocation or subluxation. All shoulder stabilization procedures in the outpatient setting were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes (23455, 23460, 23462, 23466, and 29806). A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of patient factors on the likelihood of receiving surgery. The variables included in the analysis were age, sex, race, social deprivation, Charlson Comorbidity Index, recurrent dislocation, and primary insurance type.

Results

In total, 16,721 patients with a shoulder instability diagnosis were included in the analysis and 1,028 (6.1%) went on to have surgery. Patients <18 years old (odds ratio [OR] 8.607, P < .0001), those with recurrent dislocations (OR 2.606, P < .0001), or worker’s compensation relative to private insurance (OR 1.318, P = .0492) had increased odds of receiving surgery. Hispanic (OR 0.711, P = .003) and African American (OR 0.63, P < .0001) patients had decreased odds of surgery compared with White patients. Patients with Medicaid (OR 0.582, P < .0001) or self-pay (OR 0.352, P < .0001) insurance had decreased odds of undergoing surgery relative to privately insured patients. Patients with greater levels of social deprivation (OR 0.993, P < .0001) also were associated with decreased odds of surgery.

Conclusions

Anterior glenohumeral instability and subsequent stabilization surgery is associated with disparities among patient race, primary insurance, and social deprivation.

Clinical Relevance

Considering the relationship between differential care and health disparities, it is critical to define and increase physician awareness of these disparities to help ensure equitable care.

High Incidence of Combined and Posterior Labral Tears in Military Patients With Operative Shoulder Instability

BACKGROUND

Anterior shoulder instability is the pattern most commonly reported in the civilian population, but military servicemembers may represent a unique population. At 1.7 per 1000 person-years, servicemembers not only have a higher incidence of instability events compared with civilians (reported rate of 0.2-0.8), but the distribution of labral tears in the military may differ significantly as well.

HYPOTHESIS

The incidence of combined and posterior labral tears in the military population will be greater than numbers previously reported.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The Wounded, Ill, and Injured Registry, a Department of Defense patient reported outcomes data collection platform that includes all military branches, was queried retrospectively for all patients who had undergone a primary arthroscopic or open shoulder stabilization procedure (Current Procedural Terminology codes 29806, 23455, 23462) between October 2016 and January 2019. Demographic information was obtained through intake forms completed by patients at the time of enrollment into the Military Orthopaedics Tracking Injuries and Outcomes Network. Tear location was determined arthroscopically and labeled as anterior, inferior, posterior, superior, or any combination thereof. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the percentage of patients with isolated anterior, isolated posterior, isolated inferior, or combined labral tears in the current study cohort with those in a previously reported cohort of patients with operative shoulder instability at a single military treatment facility.

RESULTS

A total of 311 patients were included who had undergone primary shoulder stabilization during the study period. Of these patients, 94 (30.2%) had isolated anterior tears, 76 (24.4%) had isolated posterior tears, and 136 (43.7%) had combined tears. We observed a higher percentage of combined tears in our data set than in a data set from a single military treatment facility (χ²(2) = 48.2; P < .00001). Chi-square analysis demonstrated that significantly more female patients had an isolated anterior labral tear (51.2%) compared with male patients (27.1%; χ²(2) = 9.4; P = .009).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of combined and posterior labral tears in the military population is greater than numbers previously reported in both military and civilian populations.

Outcomes of Arthroscopic Anterior Labroligamentous Periosteal Sleeve Avulsion Lesions: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsion (ALPSA) lesions can occur in recurrent anterior shoulder instability, which may lead to the labrum scarring medially to the glenoid. ALPSA lesions have also been associated with greater preoperative dislocations, larger Hill-Sachs lesions, and greater degrees of glenoid bone loss. Therefore, patients with these lesions have historically had a higher failure rate after repair, with nearly double the recurrent instability rate compared with those undergoing standard arthroscopic Bankart repair.

PURPOSE

To compare minimum 2-year outcomes of arthroscopic mobilization and anatomic repair of ALPSA lesions with those after standard arthroscopic Bankart repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of ALPSA lesions were matched in a 1-to-3 fashion to patients who underwent standard Bankart repair by age, sex, number of previous ipsilateral shoulder instability surgical procedures, and number of anchors used. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores were compared preoperatively and postoperatively (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES]; 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12] Physical Component Summary [PCS]; Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation [SANE]; shortened version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand; and satisfaction). Recurrent instability, on- versus off-track Hill-Sachs lesion, and reoperation rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 100 shoulders (25 ALPSA and 75 Bankart) with an overall mean age of 25.7 years were evaluated. Patients in the ALPSA group demonstrated significant improvements in the ASES (preoperative, 74.8; postoperative, 89.7; P = .041) and SF-12 PCS (preoperative, 46.9; postoperative, 53.4; P = .021) scores but not the SANE score (preoperative, 65.2; postoperative, 75.3; P = .311). Patients in the Bankart group had significant improvements in all outcome scores at final follow-up: ASES (preoperative, 67.1; postoperative, 90.3), SANE (preoperative, 58.0; postoperative, 85.7), and SF-12 PCS (preoperative, 45.3; postoperative, 52.9) (all P < .001). There were no significant differences in PRO scores between the groups preoperatively or postoperatively (P > .05). The median satisfaction for the ALPSA group was 10 of 10 and for the Bankart group it was 9 of 10 (P = .094). There was a significantly higher rate of recurrent dislocation in the ALPSA group (8/25 [32.0%]) compared with the Bankart group (10/75 [13.3%]) (P = .040). Additionally, 5 patients (20.0%) in the ALPSA group underwent revision surgery at a mean of 5.6 years, and 8 patients (10.7%) in the Bankart group underwent revision surgery at a mean of 4.4 years (P = .311).

CONCLUSION

Despite improvements in the recognition of and surgical techniques for ALPSA lesions, they still lead to significantly higher postoperative dislocation rates; however, no differences in PRO scores were found. These findings highlight the importance of early surgical interventions in anterior shoulder instability with the hope of lessening recurrent instability and the risk of developing an ALPSA lesion, as well as careful assessment of the quality of soft tissues and other risk factors for recurrence when considering what type of shoulder stabilization procedure to perform.

Double-Pulley Remplissage in Active-Duty Military Population With Off-Track Anterior Shoulder Instability Results in Improved Outcomes and Low Recurrence at Minimum 4-Year Follow-Up

PURPOSE

To report mid-term outcomes of active-duty patients with anterior shoulder instability following our technique for double-pulley remplissage (DPR) with concomitant anterior labral repair.

METHODS

All consecutive patients from 1/2010 through 12/2016 that underwent DPR by the senior surgeon with complete outcome scores were identified. All patients had experienced a shoulder dislocation following a traumatic event, and had subsequent instability recalcitrant to conservative management. Patients were excluded if they were lost to follow-up (3) of if they underwent stabilization procedures other than DPR (148). Outcome measures were completed by patients within 1 week prior to surgery and at latest follow-up. Twenty-four patients met the inclusion criteria for the study, and all were active-duty military at the time of surgery.

RESULTS

20/24 (83.3%) patients met the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), while 21/24 (87.5%) achieved substantial clinical benefit (SCB) and 22/24 (91.7%) exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for their operative shoulder, as determined by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score. 21/24 (87.5%) patients met the PASS, while 19/24 (79.2%) achieved SCB and 20/24 (83.3%) exceeded the MCID for their operative shoulder, as determined by the single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE). In addition, 23/24 (95.8%) patients exceeded the MCID for their operative shoulder, as determined by the Rowe Instability score. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion did not vary significantly. All patients had decreased pain postoperatively (P < .0001); 22/24 (91.67%) of patients remained on active-duty status. Failure rate, defined as recurrent subluxation or dislocation, was 4.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Mid-term outcomes in this population of active-duty patients undergoing DPR for shoulder instability without glenoid bone loss demonstrate a statistically and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes, a significant decrease of pain and an overall return to active-duty rate of 91.67%.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, therapeutic case series.

Outcomes of 270° Labral Repair for Combined Shoulder Instability in Active-Duty Military Patients: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of combined shoulder instability in military patients. Short-term outcomes after 270° labral repair are promising; however, there is a paucity of longer term outcome data in this high-demand group of patients.

PURPOSE

To report the midterm outcomes of active-duty military patients treated with 270° labral repair for combined shoulder instability.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

All consecutive patients between January 2011 and January 2019 who underwent 270° labral repair by the senior surgeon with complete outcome scores were identified. All patients had experienced a shoulder dislocation after a traumatic event and had magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative findings consistent with combined-type instability. A total of 52 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study, and all were active-duty servicemembers at the time of surgery.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 78.21 months (range, 24-117 months). There was a statistically significant increase in the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (from 44.92 to 89.31; P < .0001), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (from 52.32 to 93.17; P < .0001), and Rowe instability score (from 46.63 to 91.35; P < .0001) from preoperatively to postoperatively. Mean pain decreased significantly as measured by the visual analog scale for pain (from 8.04 to 1.44; P < .0001). Range of motion in forward flexion (from 155.29° to 155.96°; P = .6793), external rotation (from 67.50° to 65.29°; P = .0623), and internal rotation (from T9.58 to T9.56; P = .9650) did not change significantly postoperatively. Outcomes did not differ significantly for patients who underwent surgery on their dominant shoulder versus those who underwent surgery on their nondominant shoulder, nor did outcomes vary with the type of anchor utilized (biocomposite vs all-suture). The overall rate of return to active duty was 92.31%.

CONCLUSION

Midterm outcomes in this population of active-duty patients undergoing 270° labral repair for combined shoulder instability demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported outcome scores, a significant decrease in pain, and an overall rate of return to active duty of 92.31%.

Clinical outcomes of revision arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability: a systematic review of studies

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to review the literature to ascertain the functional outcomes, recurrence rates, and subsequent revision rates following revision arthroscopic Bankart repair.

METHODS

Two independent reviewers performed a literature search based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines using the Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies in which arthroscopic Bankart repair was performed as a revision procedure were included. The clinical outcomes extracted and analyzed were functional outcomes, return to play, and recurrent instability.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with 433 patients met the inclusion criteria. The majority of patients were male patients (63.7%); the average age was 26.1 years (range, 14-58 years), and the mean follow-up period was 37.6 months (range, 10-144 months). The mean Rowe score was 84.2, and 79.7% of patients had good to excellent outcomes. The rate of return to play was 78.5%, with 47.5% of patients returning to their preinjury level of play across 10 studies. The rate of recurrent instability was reported in 12 studies, with 328 shoulders demonstrating 86 instability events (26.2%). The rate of recurrent instability due to dislocation was reported in 7 studies (n = 176), with 19 events (10.8%), whereas the rate of subluxation was reported in 4 studies (n = 76), with 6 events (7.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Revision arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability was shown to result in a high rate of recurrent shoulder instability. There was a relatively poor rate of return to sport among athletes, and only about half of the patients were able to return at or above their preoperative level of ability.

The Nonoperative Instability Severity Index Score: Is It Predictive in a Larger Shoulder Instability Population at Long-Term Follow-Up?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of the Nonoperative Instability Severity Index Score (NISIS) criteria on an established US-geographic population-based cohort of patients with anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

An established geographically based medical record system was used to identify patients <40 years of age with anterior shoulder instability between 1994 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed to obtain patient demographics and instability characteristics. Patient-specific risk factors were individually incorporated into the 10-point NISIS criteria: age (>15 years), bone loss, type of instability (dislocation vs subluxation), type of sport (collision vs noncollision), male sex, and dominant arm involvement. High risk was considered a score of ≥7 points and low risk as <7 points. Failure was defined as either progression to surgery or recurrent instability diagnosed by a consulting physician at any point after initial consultation.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 405 patients with a mean follow-up time of 9.6 ± 5.9 years. Failure was defined as recurrent instability or progression to surgery, and the overall failure rate was 52.8% (214/405). The rate of recurrent instability after initial consultation was 34.6% (140/405), and the rate of conversion to surgery was 37.8% (153/405). A total of 264 (65.2%) patients were considered low risk (NISIS < 7), and 141 (34.8%) patients were considered high risk (NISIS ≥ 7). Patients in the high-risk group were more likely to fail nonoperative management than those in the low-risk group (60.3% vs 48.9%; P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

The NISIS has been proposed as a potentially useful tool in clinical decision-making regarding the appropriate use of nonoperative treatment in scholastic athletes. When applied to an established US-geographic population-based cohort consisting of competitive and recreational athletes under the age of 40 with longer-term follow-up, the NISIS high-risk cutoff was able to predict overall failure with 60.3% accuracy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective observation trial.

Non-Operative Shoulder Dysfunction in the United States Military

INTRODUCTION

Recent epidemiological evidence shows that shoulder and upper-arm complaints impose a substantial burden on the armed forces of the United States and create significant challenges for all components of the physical fitness domain of total force fitness. Clinicians, epidemiologists, and health-services researchers interested in shoulder and upper-arm injuries and their functional limitations rarely have objective, validated criteria for rigorously evaluating diagnostic practices, prescribed treatments, or the outcomes of alternative approaches. We sought to establish and quantify patient volume, types of care, and costs within the Military Health System (MHS) in assessing and managing active duty members with nonoperative shoulder and upper-arm dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the MHS Data Repository and MHS MART (M2) from fiscal year 2014 to identify active duty individuals with a diagnosis of shoulder and upper-arm injury or impairment defined by one of the International Classification of Disease Ninth Edition diagnosis codes that were selected to reflect nonoperative conditions such as fractures or infections. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics on patient demographics and clinical visits, such as the range and frequency of diagnoses, number and types of appointments, and clinical procedure information following the diagnosis. We also examined treatment costs related to shoulder dysfunction and calculated the total cost to include medications, radiological, procedural, and laboratory test costs for all shoulder dysfunction visits in 2014 and the average cost for each visit. We further examined the category of each medication prescribed.

RESULTS

A total of 55,643 individuals met study criteria and accrued 193,455 shoulder-dysfunction-related clinical visits in fiscal year 2014. This cohort represents approximately 4.8% of the 1,155,183 active duty service members assigned to the United States and its territories during FY 2014. Most patients were male (85.32%), younger (85.25% were under 40 years old), and Caucasian/White (71.12%). The most common diagnosis code was 719.41 (pain in joint, shoulder region; 42.48%). The majority of the patients 42,750 (76.8%) had four or fewer medical visits during the study period and 12,893 (23.2%) had more than four visits. A total of 4,733 patients (8.5%) underwent arthrocentesis aspiration or injection. The total cost for all visits was $65,066,767.89. The average and median cost for each visit were $336.34 (standard deviation was $1,493.87) and $163.11 (range was from 0 to $84,183.88), respectively. Three out of four patients (75.3%) underwent radiological examinations, and 74.2% of these individuals had more than one radiological examination. Medications were prescribed to 50,610 (91.0%) patients with the three most common being IBUPROFEN (12.21%), NAPROXEN (8.51%), and OXYCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN (5.04%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 1 in 20 active duty military service members presented for nonoperative care of shoulder and/or upper-arm dysfunction during FY2014. Further examinations of the etiology and potential impact of shoulder/upper-arm dysfunction on force readiness are clearly warranted, as are additional studies directed at identifying best practices for preventing injury-related dysfunction and determining best practices for the treatment of shoulder dysfunction to optimize service member fitness and force readiness.

Prognostic Factors of the Latarjet Procedure

Objective  To investigate the factors that influence the functional results of patients submitted to the Latarjet procedure. Methods  Evaluation of 26 patients submitted to surgical treatment following the Latarjet technique due to traumatic recurrent anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, with glenoidal bone loss greater than 20% and/or off-track injury. The minimum follow-up time was of 12 months. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) scales, as well as objective data from the participants, were evaluated. Results  Most patients (84.62%) did not present recurrence of the dislocation, and 92.31% were satisfied. Regarding the functional analysis, the physical component score (PCS) and the mental component score (MCS) found were within the mean quality of life of the population. The physical symptoms, according to the WOSI, presented the best percentage (8.5%), while the worst result was observed regarding lifestyle (20%). On the VAS, pain was classified as moderate (3/10) by 15.38% of the patients (4/26). In relation to sports, patients who practice sports showed improvement in SSV parameters, which had an inverse relationship with the number of relapses. It was also observed that the shorter the time between the first dislocation and the surgery, the greater the patient's satisfaction. Conclusion  Early indication of surgical treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability may provide better subjective functional results to the patient.

Return to Play After Revision Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Systematic Review

Background

Revision shoulder stabilizations are becoming increasingly common. Returning to play after revision shoulder stabilizations is important to patients.

Purpose

To evaluate the return-to-play rate after revision anterior shoulder stabilization using arthroscopic, open, coracoid transfer, or free bone block procedures.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

All English-language studies published between 2000 and 2020 that reported on return to play after revision anterior shoulder stabilization were reviewed. Clinical outcomes that were evaluated included rate of overall return to play, level of return to play, and time to return to play. Study quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black quality assessment score.

Results

Eighteen studies (1 level 2; 17 level 4; mean Downs and Black score, 10.1/31) on revision anterior shoulder stabilization reported on return to play and met inclusion criteria (7 arthroscopic, 5 open, 3 Latarjet, and 3 bony augmentation), with a total of 564 revision cases (mean age, 27.9 years; 84.1% male). The weighted mean length of follow-up was 52.5 months. The overall weighted rate of return to play was 80.1%. The weighted mean rate of return to play was 84.0% (n = 153) after arthroscopic revision, 91.5% (n = 153) after open revision, 88.1% (n = 149) after Latarjet, and 73.8% (n = 65) after bone augmentation. The weighted mean rate of return to same level of play was 69.7% for arthroscopic revision, 70.0% for open revision, 67.1% for Latarjet revision, and 61.8% after bone block revision. There were 5 studies that reported on time to return to play, with a weighted mean of 7.75 months (4 arthroscopic) and 5.2 months (1 Latarjet). The weighted mean rates of complication (for studies that provided it) were 3.3% after arthroscopic revision (n = 174), 3.5% after open revision (n = 110), 9.3% after Latarjet revision (n = 108), and 45.8% after bone block revision (n = 72).

Conclusion

Revision using open stabilization demonstrated the highest return-to-play rate. Revision using Latarjet had the quickest time to return to play but had higher complication rates. When evaluated for return to same level of play, arthroscopic, open, and Latarjet had similar rates, and bone block had lower rates. The choice of an optimal revision shoulder stabilization technique, however, depends on patient goals. Higher-quality studies are needed to compare treatments regarding return to play after revision shoulder stabilization.

Referral for Imaging in Physical Therapist Practice: Key Recommendations for Successful Implementation

In recent years, the use of diagnostic imaging in physical therapist practice in the United States has gained considerable interest. In several countries around the world and in the US military, patient direct referral for diagnostic imaging has been considered normative practice for decades. US physical therapy program accreditation standards now stipulate that diagnostic imaging content must be included in physical therapist educational curricula. The American Physical Therapy Association has made efforts to pursue practice authority for imaging referral. A recent review of state practice acts and other statutory language concluded that many states have no prohibitions against physical therapists referring for imaging studies. Additionally, physical therapists can now pursue certification as musculoskeletal sonographers. In light of these advances, and with a growing number of physical therapists serving patients who have not yet seen another health care provider, it may be helpful for those who have been actively involved in the use of imaging in physical therapist practice to provide their collective recommendations to serve as a guideline to those interested in incorporating this practice privilege. The purpose of this perspective article is to provide an overview of the key elements necessary for effective implementation of referral for imaging in physical therapist practice while emphasizing the cornerstone of effective communication.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Disparities in Early Surgical Stabilization Following Emergency Department Presentation for Shoulder Instability

Purpose

To describe which patients are the most likely to undergo surgical management within the same calendar year as their emergency department visit for anterior shoulder instability.

Methods

The State Emergency Department Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases from Florida were used. All patients presenting to the emergency department for anterior shoulder subluxation or dislocation between January 1 and September 30, 2017, were selected. Bivariate analysis was performed for associations with demographic variables. A binary logistic regression was performed with all significant factors to assess which were predictors of undergoing surgery the same calendar year.

Results

While controlling for all significant factors, we found that patients with recurrent dislocations were 3.14 times more likely to have surgery within the same year (P = .037). Patients younger than 40 years were also 2.04 times more likely to have surgery than those aged 40 years or older (P < .001). White patients were 2.47 times more likely to have surgery than black patients (P < .001). On bivariate analysis, there was an association between greater income quartile and higher odds of undergoing surgery within 30 days.

Conclusions

Following an emergency department visit for acute shoulder instability, the following variables were associated with undergoing surgical stabilization within the same calendar year: previous dislocation, age younger than 40, and white race. Patients living in the greatest income quartile of patients had a significantly greater percentage of patients having surgery within 30 days. This demonstrates that disparities and barriers to care may exist for patients with shoulder instability.

Level of Evidence

Level III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Latarjet Procedure for the Treatment of Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in the Athlete - Key Considerations for Rehabilitation

The Latarjet procedure with transfer of the coracoid process and its attached conjoint tendon is a well-established surgical technique for the treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability in patients with anteroinferior bone loss and/or high risk for recurrence. Biomechanical and clinical studies have shown excellent results and high rates of return to sports. However, there is an absence of standardized, objective criteria to accurately assess an athlete's ability to progress through each phase of rehabilitation. Return to sports rehabilitation, progressed by quantitatively measured functional goals, may improve the athlete's integration back to sports participation. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide a rehabilitation protocol for the Latarjet procedure, progressing through clearly defined phases, with guidance for safe and effective return to sport. Recommended criteria are highlighted which allows the clinician to progress the patient through each phase appropriately rather than purely following timeframes from surgery. This progression ensures the patient has completed a thorough rehabilitation program that addresses ROM, strength, power, neuromuscular control and a graded return to play. Level of Evidence: 5.

Treatment of a Combined Pectoralis Major Tear, Anterior Labral Tear, and Humeral Avulsion of the Glenohumeral Ligament (HAGL) in an Active Duty Soldier

Anterior glenohumeral instability is an increasingly common injury among young military servicemen. First-time dislocations occurring in combination with anterior labral tears and humeral avulsion of glenohumeral ligament lesions, although rare, significantly contribute to further shoulder dysfunction with recurrent instability and pain. Tears of the pectoralis major are also a type of injury more common in the military population, with operative management resulting in decreased strength. We present a unique case of a young, active duty male that sustains an anterior shoulder dislocation with a concomitant pectoralis major tendon rupture while bench press weight lifting in preparation for the Army Special Forces selection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case presented in the literature describing management of a simultaneous anterior shoulder dislocation, humeral avulsion of glenohumeral ligament lesion, and pectoralis major tendon rupture treated with a single operation. After aggressive rehabilitation, the patient was able to successfully pass Special Forces selection and has near full function of the operative shoulder with remarkable satisfaction scores.

Although Surgical Techniques Differ, Similar Outcomes Can Be Obtained When Operating After Single Versus Multiple Anterior Shoulder Dislocations

Purpose

To compare the differences in preoperative pathology, surgical technique, and overall outcomes between patients treated surgically after a single anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation and those undergoing surgery after multiple dislocations.

Methods

An epidemiologic database was used to identify all patients younger than 40 years undergoing surgery for anterior shoulder instability between January 1, 1994, and July 31, 2016, in a defined geographic area. Patient medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic information, patient history, physical examination findings, imaging findings, clinical progression, surgical details, and outcomes. Comparative analysis was performed between patients who underwent surgery after a single dislocation and those who underwent surgery after multiple preoperative dislocations.

Results

The study population consisted of 187 patients who had a single anterior shoulder dislocation (n = 55) or multiple anterior shoulder dislocations (n = 132) prior to surgery. The mean follow-up period was 103.3 months (range, 0.3-328.4 months). Demographic characteristics were not significantly different between groups. Although the presence of Hill-Sachs lesions on radiographs was more common in the multiple-dislocation group (42.1%) than in the single-dislocation group (18.8%, P = .005), there were no other significant differences in concomitant pathology between groups. Latarjet procedures were more commonly performed in the multiple-dislocation group (12.5% vs 2.1% in the single-dislocation group, P = .04). There were no other significant differences in surgical techniques and characteristics between groups. Rates of survival free from recurrent instability (P = .790), revision surgery (P = .726), and progression to symptomatic osteoarthritis (P = .588) were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

Although patients with multiple dislocations prior to surgery were more likely to show radiographic evidence of Hill-Sachs lesions and undergo the Latarjet procedure than those who received surgery after a single dislocation, no significant differences in outcomes with respect to recurrent instability, revision surgery, or progression to symptomatic osteoarthritis were found between these 2 groups at long-term follow-up.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Significant Changes in the Diagnosis, Injury Severity and Treatment for Anterior Shoulder Instability Over Time in a U.S. Population

Purpose

To report the annual incidence of anterior shoulder instability (ASI) diagnosis, injury severity, and surgical stabilization in a U.S. population.

Methods

An established U.S. geographic database was used to identify patients < 40 years old with diagnoses of ASI from 1994-2016. Medical records were reviewed to obtain patient demographics, histories, imaging results, and surgical details. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated and adjusted to the 2010 U.S. population. Poisson regression was performed to examine trends by timeline, sex and age.

Results

The study population consisted of 652 patients with ASI and a mean age of 21.5 years (range, 3.6-39.5). Comparing 2015-2016 to 1994-1999, we found an increase in the number of dislocations (from 1.0-1.9; P = 0.016) and total instability events (from 2.3-3.4; P = 0.041) per patient prior to presentation to a physician. There was a trend in increased diagnosis of bony Bankart and/or Hill-Sachs on MRI over time, with these lesions documented in 96% of patients undergoing MRI in 2015-2018 compared to 52.9% in 1994-1999 (P < .001). The use of arthroscopic procedures increased and peaked in 2005-2009 (90% of surgical cases performed). The proportion of open Latarjet procedures increased from 2010-2014 (14%) and 2015-2018 (31%).

Conclusions

The age- and sex- adjusted incidence of ASI diagnosis in a U.S. population from 1994-2016 is comparable to that demonstrated in Canadian and European populations. This study demonstrates an increasing number of instability events prior to surgical evaluation, which may correlate with patients’ more commonly presenting with bone loss and requiring more aggressive surgical treatment or that ASI is being more frequently cared for and documented by present-day orthopedic surgeons.

Level of Evidence

Level III, cross-sectional study.

The effectiveness of battlefield acupuncture in addition to standard physical therapy treatment after shoulder surgery: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

There is a large incidence of shoulder instability among active young athletes and military personnel. Shoulder stabilization surgery is the commonly employed intervention for treating individuals with instability. Following surgery, a substantial proportion of individuals experience acute post-operative pain, which is usually managed with opioid pain medications. Unfortunately, the extended use of opioid medications can have adverse effects that impair function and reduce military operational readiness, but there are currently few alternatives. However, battlefield acupuncture (BFA) is a minimally invasive therapy demonstrating promise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for managing acute post-operative pain.

METHODS

This is a parallel, two-arm, single-blind randomized clinical trial. The two independent variables are intervention (2 levels, standard physical therapy and standard physical therapy plus battlefield acupuncture) and time (5 levels, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, and 4 weeks post shoulder stabilization surgery). The primary dependent variables are worst and average pain as measured on the visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes include medication usage, Profile of Mood States, and Global Rating of Change.

DISCUSSION

The magnitude of the effect of BFA is uncertain; current studies report confidence intervals of between-group differences that include minimal clinically important differences between intervention and control groups. The results of this study may help determine if BFA is an effective adjunct to physical therapy in reducing pain and opioid usage in acute pain conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04094246 . Registered on 16 September 2019.

90-Day Complication Rate After the Latarjet Procedure in a High-Volume Center

BACKGROUND

The Latarjet procedure is indicated for patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability, previous failed soft tissue stabilization, glenoid bone loss, or high-risk factors for recurrence, although there is still a concern with the surgical complication rates associated with the Latarjet procedure.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the 90-day complication rate after the open Latarjet procedure in a high-volume center.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent an open Latarjet procedure at our institution over a 5-year period between January 2015 and December 2019. The complications, readmissions, and reoperations within 90 days were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 441 patients with a mean age of 23.0 ± 5.7 years was included; 97.5% of the patients were male. There were 2 intraoperative complications (0.5%): 1 coracoid fracture and 1 anaphylactic reaction to vancomycin. Overall, there were 19 postoperative complications (4.3%) in 18 patients, with 4 (0.9%) readmissions for revision surgery. Hematomas were the most common complication, occurring in 12 patients (2.7%), with 9 (2.0%) requiring a return to the operating theater during their stay for an evacuation. In those who required a readmission for a reoperation, 1 was for a hematoma requiring a washout, 2 were for irrigation and debridement of a surgical site infection, and the third was for a biceps tenodesis in a patient with severe bicipital pain. No patients had recurrence or any postoperative graft complications; additionally, there were no neurovascular complications.

CONCLUSION

We found that in a high-volume center, the open Latarjet procedure has a low 90-day complication rate with a low revision rate. Hematomas were the most common complication experienced by patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure, while there was no recurrent instability or neurological or hardware complications reported among the 441 patients included in this study.

The Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: State of the Art in 2020: Decision-making and Operative Technique

Traumatic anterior shoulder instability is prevalent among young athletes, and recurrent dislocations can result in compromised upper extremity function, increasing glenohumeral bone loss, and ultimately, posttraumatic arthritis. Although management algorithms have evolved in response to contemporary data and technical innovation, the arthroscopic Bankart repair continues to be a mainstay for the primary surgical management of first-time or recurrent anterior shoulder instability with marginal attritional glenoid bone loss (ie, <10% to 15%) and/or "on track" Hill-Sachs defects. The advantages of arthroscopic stabilization include its minimally invasive technique, high cost effectiveness, and relatively low recurrence rates and propensity for perioperative complications. The current article reviews contemporary indications/contraindications, management of the first-time dislocator, critical glenoid bone loss, surgical technique, and reported clinical outcomes of the arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Outcomes After Revision Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Systematic Review

Background

Primary shoulder stabilization is successful, but there continues to be a risk of recurrence after operative repair, particularly in the young athlete. It is important for surgeons to understand the outcomes after various revision stabilization techniques to best counsel patients and manage expectations.

Purpose

To analyze recurrent instability and revision surgery rates in patients who underwent revision anterior glenohumeral stabilization procedures with either arthroscopic repair, open repair, coracoid transfer, free bone block, or capsular reconstruction.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of level 2 to 4 evidence studies using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Clinical studies of revision anterior glenohumeral stabilization (arthroscopic repair, open repair, coracoid transfer, free bone block, or capsular reconstruction) with a minimum 2-year follow-up were analyzed. The rate of recurrent instability, rate of revision surgery, patient-reported outcomes, and range of motion were extracted and reported. Study methodological quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black quality assessment score.

Results

A total of 37 studies met inclusion criteria and were available for analysis: 20 studies evaluated arthroscopic repair, 8 evaluated open repair, 5 evaluated Latarjet procedure, 3 evaluated bone block, and 2 evaluated capsular reconstruction. There was 1 study included in both arthroscopic and Latarjet procedures, for a total of 1110 revision cases. There was 1 level 2 study, and the remainder were level 3 or 4 with poor Downs and Black scores. Participants analyzed were most commonly young (weighted mean age, 26.1 years) and male (78.4%). The weighted mean clinical follow-up after revision surgery was 47.8 months. The weighted mean rate of recurrent instability was 3.8% (n = 245) after the Latarjet procedure, 13.4% (n = 260) after open repair, 16.0% (n = 531) after arthroscopic repair, 20.8% (n = 72) after bone block, and 31.0% (n = 35) after capsular reconstruction. The weighted mean rate of additional revision surgery was 0.0% after bone block, 0.02% after the Latarjet procedure, 9.0% after arthroscopic repair, 9.3% after open repair, and 22.8% after capsular reconstruction. Patient-reported outcomes and objective measures of range of motion and strength improved with all revision techniques.

Conclusion

The current review identifies a deficiency in the literature pertaining to consistent meaningful outcomes and the effect of bone loss after revision shoulder stabilization. Published studies demonstrate, however, that revision shoulder stabilization using arthroscopic, open, coracoid transfer, or bone block techniques yielded satisfactory objective and patient-reported outcomes. The Latarjet procedure exhibited the lowest recurrent instability rate. This study confirms that recurrent instability remains a common problem, despite revision shoulder stabilization. The quality of research in revision shoulder stabilization remains poor, and higher quality studies are needed to establish best practices for treatment of this complex problem.

Sports Injuries in the Australian Regular Army

Sports participation in the military is important for physical fitness and building morale and camaraderie. However, injuries caused by sports are detrimental to military capability. The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of injury from sports participation in Australian Regular Army personnel. Injury data spanning a two-year period were obtained from the Department of Defence Workplace Health, Safety, Compensation, and Reporting (WHSCAR) database. Data were extracted for the top five sporting activities causing injuries. The most common body sites, natures, and mechanisms of injuries across these five sports were then determined. Sports participation accounted for 11% (n = 1092) of reported injuries (n = 9828). Soccer presented with the greatest number of injuries (23.3%), followed by rugby union/league (22.9%), touch football (18.6%), Australian rules football (12.0%), and basketball/netball (11.9%). The ankle, knee, and shoulder were the most injured body sites (21.9%; 17.2%; 11.6% respectively) across these five sports, with soft tissue injury, dislocation, and fractures being the most common natures of injury (55.1%; 12.7%; 11.9% respectively). The most common mechanisms of injuries were contact with objects (35.1%) and falls (27.4%). The current injury rates, locations, and mechanisms are similar to historical rates suggesting little impact by injury mitigation strategies.

Anterior Instability: What to Look for

Most first-time anterior glenohumeral dislocations occur as the result of trauma. Many patients suffer recurrent episodes of anterior shoulder instability (ASI). The anatomy and biomechanics of ASI is addressed, as is the pathophysiology of capsulolabral injury. The roles of imaging modalities are described, including computed tomography (CT) and MR imaging with the additional value of arthrography and specialized imaging positions. Advances in 3D CT and MR imaging particularly with respect to the quantification of humeral and glenoid bone loss is discussed. The concepts of engaging and nonengaging lesions as well as on-track and off-track lesions are examined.

Arthroscopic Versus Open Bankart Repairs in Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review of the Association Between Publication Date and Postoperative Recurrent Instability in Systematic Reviews

PURPOSE

To systematically review the results of systematic studies regarding open versus arthroscopic Bankart repairs for recurrent anterior shoulder instability and quantitatively analyze the effect of primary-literature publication dates on reported outcomes in these systematic studies.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted to identify systematic studies reporting outcomes of both arthroscopic and open Bankart repairs for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Patient-reported outcome measures, recurrent instability rates, definitions of instability, and procedure types reported by included study characteristics were qualitatively analyzed. Correlation coefficient analyses were performed to investigate if a systematic study's proportion of included primary literature published after 1999, 2000, 2001, or 2002 affected that study's reported mean difference in instability recurrence between open and arthroscopic procedures. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews criteria were used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies.

RESULTS

Of 130 identified articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria. Patient-reported outcome measures were poorly reported. Among mean differences in instability recurrence rates, the results were indeterminate: Although 5 studies reported arthroscopic surgical procedures as having a higher recurrence rate, only 1 reported a statistically significant difference. Within the 5 included systematic reviews reporting the number of included studies, 37 of 56 observations were published after 2000. The proportion of studies published after 2000 (Pearson r = 0.88, P = .052) was positively associated with differences in instability recurrence rates between open and arthroscopic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic studies that included newer studies (published after 2000) were associated with more favorable arthroscopic outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

An Age-Based Approach to Anterior Shoulder Instability in Patients Under 40 Years Old: Analysis of a US Population

BACKGROUND

While a large volume of literature has focused on risk factors for anterior shoulder instability, the rates of recurrence are inconsistent and require additional population-based epidemiologic data.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The purpose was to report the effect of patient age on the number of instability events before physician consultation, rate of surgical stabilization, recurrent instability, and progression to osteoarthritis in patients <40 years old with anterior shoulder instability, utilizing an established US geographic population. We hypothesized that younger patients would be more likely to experience multiple episodes of instability before evaluation, undergo surgery, and experience recurrent instability after surgical intervention.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiologic study.

METHODS

An established geographic database of more than 500,000 patients was used to identify patients <40 years of age with anterior shoulder instability between 1994 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed to obtain patient characteristics, history, imaging, surgical details, and outcomes. Patients were divided into 5 groups based on age (≤15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, and 31-40 years) at initial instability. Comparative analysis was performed to identify differences between groups.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 654 patients with a mean follow-up of 11.1 years (range, 2.0-25.2 years). This resulted in 118 patients (18%) ≤15 years of age at initial instability; 250 (38%), 16 to 20 years; 110 (17%), 21 to 25 years; 80 (12%), 26 to 30 years; and 96 (15%), 31 to 40 years. Of patients ≤15 years old at initial instability 47% had 3+ instability events, compared with 12% of patients aged 31 to 40 years (P < .001). At 10 years of follow-up, patients ≤15 and 16 to 20 years old demonstrated the highest recurrent instability rates of 38.8% and 47.1% after nonoperative management, respectively. Patients 16 to 20 years old demonstrated the highest rates of both surgical intervention (40.4%) and recurrence after surgery (24.8%). Patients 31 to 40 years of age were significantly more likely to develop clinically symptomatic osteoarthritis (15.6%) than all other age groups.

CONCLUSION

In a US epidemiologic population of patients <40 years old, the rate of recurrent anterior shoulder instability was roughly one-third after initial physician consultation. Younger patients, particularly those ≤15 and 16 to 20 years of age, were more likely to have experienced multiple instability events at the time of initial evaluation, require surgery, and experience recurrent instability compared with older patients. For every year of decrease in age at initial instability, the risk of recurrent instability or surgical intervention after physician consultation increased by 4.1% and 2.8%, respectively.

Biomechanical Comparison of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon Versus Conjoint Tendon Transfer in a Bone Loss Shoulder Instability Model

Background:

Augmentation of Bankart repair with long head of the biceps tendon transfer has been previously described, although there is a paucity of literature describing its biomechanical effects.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of augmenting Bankart repair with either the conjoint tendon or the long head of the biceps tendon, both with and without subcritical (13%) glenoid bone loss. We hypothesized that, in a cadaveric model, augmenting Bankart repair with the long head of the biceps tendon would restore a greater degree of stability compared with augmenting Bankart repair with the conjoint tendon.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 12 cadaveric shoulders were tested on a 6-degrees-of-freedom robotic musculoskeletal simulator to measure the peak resistance force due to an anterior displacement of 1 cm. The rotator cuff muscles were loaded during testing to simulate physiological conditions. The following test conditions were used for each specimen: (1) intact shoulder, (2) Bankart lesion with 13% anterior bone loss, (3) 13% bone loss with Bankart repair (anchors placed at the 3-, 4-, and 5-o’clock positions), (4) 13% bone loss with both Bankart repair and transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon, and (5) 13% bone loss with Bankart repair and transfer of the conjoint tendon.

Results:

Labral repair with the addition of long head of the biceps tendon transfer had the greatest peak resistance force to anterior displacement among all groups (54.1 ± 5.5 N) and was significantly stronger than both standard Bankart repair by 16.3% (46.5 ± 7.6 N; P = .039) and the conjoint transfer procedure by 16.6% (46.4 ± 7.7 N; P = .008).

Conclusion:

Given the susceptibility of recurrent instability in shoulders with subcritical bone loss after isolated labral repair, it is important to consider augmenting Bankart repair in high-risk patients to avoid potential recurrence and the need for reoperations. Transferring the long head of the biceps tendon to the anterior glenoid represents one possible augmentation.

Clinical Relevance:

We present biomechanical data for a relatively novel technique for augmenting capsulolabral repair strength in an anterior instability model with subcritical bone loss. These data represent biomechanical justification for the utilization of this relatively novel technique.

Variations in the Anatomic Morphology of the Lateral Distal Tibia: Surgical Implications for Distal Tibial Allograft Glenoid Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Distal tibial allograft glenoid augmentation has been introduced as a viable treatment approach for glenoid bone loss in conjunction with shoulder instability. No previous study, however, has assessed the morphologic variation of the distal tibia at the incisura as it relates to graft dimensions for glenoid augmentation. Increased concavity at the lateral distal tibia necessitates removal of the lateral cortex to obtain a flat surface, which may have implications for the strength of surgical fixation.

PURPOSE

To assess the morphologic variation of the distal tibia at the incisura as it relates to graft dimensions for glenoid augmentation.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance images of the ankle were reviewed for morphology assessment of the appearance and depth of the distal tibia. A classification system was created reflecting the suitability for glenoid augmentation. Type A tibias contained a flat contour of the lateral tibia at the articular surface, indicative of an ideal graft. Type B tibias had slight concavity with a central depth <5 mm and were deemed acceptable grafts. Type C tibias had deep concavity with a central depth >5 mm and were deemed unacceptable. Statistical analysis was performed via univariate analyses to compare patient demographics against acceptable morphology for glenoid augmentation.

RESULTS

Eighty-five study patients met inclusion criteria (53 male, 32 female; mean age ± SD, 35.1 ± 10.3 years). Overall, 12 patients (14.1%) demonstrated type A morphology, with 61 patients (71.8%) having type B morphology for a total of 85.9% of acceptable grafts for glenoid augmentation. The interrater reliability was moderate to strong between observers (kappa value = 0.841). On univariate analysis, sex was the only variable significantly associated with an acceptable graft, with 100% of female patients having acceptable morphology, as compared with 77% of male patients ( P = .004).

CONCLUSION

Variable morphology of the distal tibia at the incisura was found: 14.1% of patients demonstrated an ideal morphology for glenoid augmentation; an additional 71.8% were deemed suitable for graft usage; and 14.1% of tibias had unacceptable morphology. Sex was a significant factor for predicting acceptable grafts.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This information will assist surgeons in accepting or rejecting grafts based on the epidemiology of the distal tibial morphology as it relates to glenoid augmentation.

Incidence and Changing Trends of Shoulder Stabilization in the United States

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence and demographic characteristics of shoulder stabilization in the United States, with particular focus on age, sex, and inpatient versus outpatient treatment.

METHODS

The National Hospital Discharge Survey and the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery databases were searched using a combination of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis and procedure codes, encompassing open and arthroscopic shoulder stabilization procedures. Incidence was determined using National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery, National Hospital Discharge Survey, and US census data, and the results were stratified by age, sex, facility, and concomitant diagnoses. Data were analyzed between 1994 and 2006, the most recent year for which data are available within these sources.

RESULTS

The incidence of shoulder stabilization in the United States was 5.84 per 100,000 person-years (n = 15,514; 95% confidence interval, 11,975-19,053) in 1994 to 1996 and 6.89 per 100,000 person-years (n = 20,588; 95% confidence interval, 16,254-24,922) in 2006 (P = .0697). The number of inpatient procedures decreased significantly whereas the number of outpatient procedures increased significantly over the same period (P < .0001 for both). The incidence of stabilization increased in patients aged 45 to 64 years (P < .0001) and patients aged 65 years or older (P = .0008) but was unchanged in patients aged 44 years or younger (P = .4745). The average age of patients undergoing stabilization increased over the study period, from 30 years to 47 years for inpatients (P = .01) and from 27 years to 34 years for ambulatory patients (P = .05). The incidence of stabilization increased significantly in male patients (P = .0075) but remained stable in female patients (P = .8057) over the same period. Diagnoses related to rotator cuff pathology and shoulder derangement were the most common concurrent diagnosis codes.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of shoulder stabilization in the United States is 6.89 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence increased by 18% between 1994 and 2006. During the study period, shoulder stabilization shifted to become a largely outpatient procedure, and the average age increased significantly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

The Epidemiology and Natural History of Anterior Shoulder Instability

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to outline the natural history and best clinical practices for nonoperative management of anterior shoulder instability.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies continue to demonstrate a role for nonoperative treatment in the successful long-term management of anterior glenohumeral instability. The success of different positions of shoulder immobilization is reviewed as well. There are specific patients who may be best treated with nonoperative means after anterior glenohumeral instability. There are also patients who are not good nonoperative candidates based on a number of factors that are outlined in this review. There continues to be no definitive literature regarding the return to play of in-season athletes. Successful management requires a thorough understanding of the epidemiology, pathoanatomy, history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging modalities, and natural history of operative and nonoperative treatment.