Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in the Adolescent Athlete

Management of Shoulder Instability in the Overhead Athletes

Overhead athletes with anterior, posterior, and multidirectional shoulder instability present with a wide range of symptoms, especially considering the injury mechanism and affected supportive structures. As such, the management of shoulder instability is widely variable and relies on rehabilitation, operative management, and sport-specific considerations, such as positional and seasonal demands on the athlete. Biomechanical analysis may further aid in the recovery process or serve as a predictive tool to identify an increased risk for injury.

Imaging of sports injuries in adolescents

Musculoskeletal injuries in adolescents tend to occur in particular locations and have distinct characteristics, as they affect an immature skeleton. Increased engagement in sports, extended training and competition periods, and early specialization in specific sports, among other factors, have contributed significantly to the rise in musculoskeletal sports injuries in adolescents. Furthermore, females show a particularly pronounced increase in sports participation, where anatomical and hormonal factors play crucial roles in the development and increased frequency of sports-related injuries. Consequently, there is a growing demand for diagnostic imaging techniques. Musculoskeletal and pediatric radiologists require a comprehensive understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors and the successive stages of skeletal development that can influence the specific characteristics of sports injuries in adolescents. These aspects are crucial for the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic management of these injuries and for mitigating chronic conditions that could compromise future sports participation. This review analyzes the primary musculoskeletal injuries in adolescent athletes and highlights the pivotal role of different imaging methods in their diagnosis and management.

Young Collision Athletes Have High Rate of Return to Play and Good Clinical Outcomes Following Open Latarjet Procedure

PURPOSE

To evaluate return to play (RTP), clinical outcomes, and recurrence rates in collision athletes 20 years of age and younger who underwent open Latarjet for anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

A retrospective review of collision athletes 20 years of age and younger, who underwent an open Latarjet procedure by a single surgeon between the years of 2010-2020 was carried out. Inclusion criteria were 1) collision athlete, 2) underwent open Latarjet procedure, 3) 16-20 years old, and 4) minimum 24-month follow-up. Exclusion criteria were 1) other pathology of the ipsilateral shoulder and 2) noncollision athlete. Rate of RTP, time to RTP, rate of return to preinjury level, the Shoulder Instability Return to Sport after Injury score (SIRSI) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and recurrence events were recorded. Quantitative statistical analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

The study included 105 male collision athletes with a mean age of 18.6 ± 1.0 years (range: 17-20). The mean follow-up for patients was 36 ± 26.2 months. A total of 93 (88.6%) RTP at a mean time of 6.3 ± 2.2 months, with 73 (69.5%) returning to their preinjury level of participation. The mean SIRSI score was 69.2 ± 21.8, the mean VAS score was 2.3 ± 2.1, and the mean SSV score was 84.1 ± 16.8. Five patients (4.8%) redislocated their shoulder, with 4 of these requiring a further surgery (3.8%). Two patients (1.9%) reported incidents of subluxation.

CONCLUSIONS

The open Latarjet procedure in young collision athletes results in high rates of RTP, excellent functional outcomes and low recurrence rates at mid-term follow-up. Additionally, complication rates are low in this cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

The Arthroscopic Subscapular Sling Procedure Results in Low Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability at 24 Months of Follow-Up

PURPOSE

To analyze the results of the subscapular sling procedure developed for anterior shoulder instability in patients with less than 10% anterior glenoid bone loss.

METHODS

Patients were treated surgically with the arthroscopic subscapular sling procedure. A semitendinosus graft was used to reconstruct the anterior labrum and to establish a sling suspension around the upper part of the subscapularis tendon. The patients were followed up with radiographs (at 12 and 24 months). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder region and clinical examinations were performed at 3, 12, and 24 months. Recurrent dislocation was the primary endpoint. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and MRI results were secondary outcome measures. An independent physiotherapist assessed residual instability and range of motion.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were included with a dislocation rate of 0% after 24 months follow-up. There was a significant clinical improvement of the WOSI score from 57% (904) at baseline to 88% (241) at 24 months (P < .001). The proportion of patients with an improvement in the WOSI Total score larger than the estimated minimal clinically important difference was 100% both at 12 and 24 months. MRI showed an intact sling in all patients. External rotation was not significantly reduced (52° at baseline vs 47° at 24 months, P = .211). Flexion and abduction were significantly improved from 152° to 174° (P = .001) and 141° to 170° (P < .001) after 24 months. The surgical procedures were completed without any intraoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The subscapular sling procedure resulted in low recurrent shoulder instability and improved patient-reported outcome measures at 24 months of follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Evaluation High-Quality of Information from ChatGPT (Artificial Intelligence-Large Language Model) Artificial Intelligence on Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

PURPOSE

To analyze the quality and readability of information regarding shoulder stabilization surgery available using an online AI software (ChatGPT), using standardized scoring systems, as well as to report on the given answers by the AI.

METHODS

An open AI model (ChatGPT) was used to answer 23 commonly asked questions from patients on shoulder stabilization surgery. These answers were evaluated for medical accuracy, quality, and readability using The JAMA Benchmark criteria, DISCERN score, Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease Score (FRES) & Grade Level (FKGL).

RESULTS

The JAMA Benchmark criteria score was 0, which is the lowest score, indicating no reliable resources cited. The DISCERN score was 60, which is considered a good score. The areas that open AI model did not achieve full marks were also related to the lack of available source material used to compile the answers, and finally some shortcomings with information not fully supported by the literature. The FRES was 26.2, and the FKGL was considered to be that of a college graduate.

CONCLUSIONS

There was generally high quality in the answers given on questions relating to shoulder stabilization surgery, but there was a high reading level required to comprehend the information presented. However, it is unclear where the answers came from with no source material cited. It is important to note that the ChatGPT software repeatedly references the need to discuss these questions with an orthopaedic surgeon and the importance of shared discussion making, as well as compliance with surgeon treatment recommendations.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

As shoulder instability is an injury that predominantly affects younger individuals who may use the Internet for information, this study shows what information patients may be getting online.

Size and morphology of the coracoid and glenoid in pediatric and adolescent patients: implications for Latarjet procedure

Background

Glenohumeral instability is a challenging problem in children and adolescents. For patients with anterior glenoid bone loss, the Latarjet procedure is an effective treatment option. However, concerns about coracoid size and morphology may limit its utilization within this patient population. The purpose of this study was to establish normative data on coracoid and glenoid size and morphology among a large cohort of adolescent patients and describe the anatomic relationships with demographic factors.

Methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of a consecutive series of 584 patients aged 12-21 years after a chest computed tomography scan for non-shoulder related trauma at a single level I trauma center. Demographic characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record, and the following coracoid anatomic measurements were obtained from computed tomography scans: coracoid length, coracoid thickness, coracoid width, glenoid height, and glenoid width. The ratio of coracoid thickness to glenoid width was calculated to estimate the percent bone loss that could be addressed with a traditional Latarjet coracoid transfer. To ensure reliability among 3 reviewers, all measured the same 25 scans and inter-rater reliability was excellent with all Kappa coefficients >0.81. The remaining scans were divided equally and assessed separately by these reviewers. Correlation coefficients were used to quantify the relationships between all anatomic measures and the age, weight, and height of individuals. Growth curves for each measurement were modeled using quantile regression with height and height∗height as predictors. Additionally, we stratified the growth curves by sex, when significant. Of the 584 subjects, 55% were male, and average age was 19 years (range 12, 21).

Results

All growth curves illustrated increase anatomic size across the height range of 145-190 cm. The growth curve including all patients (Fig. 1) illustrated that the 50% percentile of median coracoid length increased from approximately 28 to 32 mm. In addition to height, sex was a significant predictor for coracoid width and glenoid width. The median coracoid width increased from approximately 9.5 to 10.2 mm for females compared to an increased width from approximately 10 to 11 mm for males. The median glenoid width for females increased from approximately 21 to 25 mm and for males the median glenoid width increased from just under 22 to 25.5 mm.

Conclusions

Among children and adolescents, coracoid and glenoid size are correlated with patient height. These data can help guide patient selection for the Latarjet procedure.

Outcomes After Revision Posterior Shoulder Capsulolabral Repair in Adolescent Athletes

Background

Few studies have evaluated the outcomes of posterior arthroscopic capsulolabral repair in adolescents, especially with regard to outcomes after revision repair.

Hypothesis

Adolescent athletes who undergo revision arthroscopic posterior unidirectional capsulolabral repair will have similar outcomes and return to play when compared with adolescent athletes who underwent primary arthroscopic posterior unidirectional capsulolabral repair.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Data were reviewed from patients who underwent posterior shoulder stabilization between 2000 and 2019 and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Patients <11 and >19 years of age and those with multidirectional instability were excluded. Revision surgery was defined as repeat arthroscopic posterior capsular repair. The ability to return to sport (and level of sport), clinical outcomes scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] and visual analog scale for pain), and patient-reported perception of range of motion, strength, and satisfaction were recorded. Comparisons between the primary and revision cohorts were made using the chi-square or the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

Included were 180 adolescent patients (182 shoulders) who underwent a primary unidirectional posterior stabilization, with an average follow-up of 6.1 years. Of these patients, 17 patients required revision surgery (9.3% revision rate). At the final follow-up, patients who underwent revision surgery returned to sport at similar rates to those who did not (70.6% vs 85.9%; P = .095) and were similarly likely to return to their presurgery level of play (41.1% vs 23.7%; P = .10). The no-revision patients had higher ASES scores (76.1 vs 87.1; P = .007) as well as less pain and improved subjective range of motion scores. However, both groups had similar subjective strength scores, and both reported that surgical repair was satisfactory (no revision, 93.2% vs revision, 88.2%; P = .45).

Conclusion

Adolescent athletes had a low risk of revision surgery and frequently returned to play after arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair, often at a lower level of play. Those who required revision surgery had poorer outcome scores but still reported a high rate of satisfaction.

Return to play following open Bankart repair in collision athletes aged 18 years or less

HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes, return to play (RTP), and recurrence rates in patients aged 18 years or less who underwent open Bankart repair (OBR) for anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

A retrospective review of collision athletes under 18 years old who underwent OBR by 2 surgeons between the years 2010 and 2019 was carried out. An OBR using a subscapularis split was performed in all patients. Recurrent instability, rate of RTP, and time to RTP were recorded. The Shoulder Instability Return to Sport after Injury score, Subjective Shoulder Value score, and visual analog scale scores were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included 34 male collision athletes with a mean age of 16.5 ± 1.3 years (range, 15-18 years). The mean follow-up for patients was 49.5 ± 30.7 months. A total of 30 patients (88.2%) returned to full sport at a mean time of 5.8 ± 2.2 months, with 27 (90%) managing to return at their preinjury level of participation. The mean Subjective Shoulder Value score for patients at the final follow-up was 86.8 ± 17.5, the mean Shoulder Instability Return to Sport after Injury score was 86.3 ± 22.6, and the mean visual analog scale score was 1.6 ± 1.8. Eight patients (23.5%) re-dislocated their shoulder, with 4 of them requiring a further surgery. Two patients (5.8%) reported having incidents of subluxation that did not require reduction.

CONCLUSION

This study found high rates of patient-reported satisfaction, excellent functional outcomes, and high rates of RTP in the medium term among young collision athletes aged 18 years or less who underwent OBR for anterior shoulder instability. However, there were high rates of recurrence with moderate rates of revision surgical stabilization in the medium term.

Athletic Shoulder Test Differences Exist Bilaterally in Healthy Pitchers

Background

There is a lack of valid and reliable tests that assess upper extremity strength and function for rehabilitation and injury prevention purposes in throwing athletes. The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test has been proposed as a reliable measure of shoulder strength, but has not yet been studied in baseball pitchers.

Hypothesis/Purpose

The purpose of this study was to establish values for healthy baseball pitchers performing the ASH test, compare those values with other common tests of shoulder strength and function, and compare ASH test performance bilaterally. It was hypothesized that the dominant arm would perform significantly better on the ASH test compared to the non-dominant arm. A secondary purpose of the study was to evaluate if ASH test performance was related to fastball velocity in baseball pitchers. It was hypothesized that ASH test performance would positively correlate with fastball velocity.

Study Design

Cross-Sectional Study.

Methods

College and high school baseball pitchers were recruited to complete shoulder range of motion (ROM), isokinetic shoulder strength, and isometric shoulder strength testing using the ASH test. The ASH test was used to assess force production as a proxy for strength bilaterally at four levels of shoulder abduction (0°, 90°, 135°, and 180°), using a force plate. Approximately one-week later subjects returned for a bullpen session where fastball velocity was recorded with a radar gun. Bilateral differences in passive ROM, isokinetic, and isometric shoulder strength were examined using paired t-tests while linear relationships between isometric shoulder strength and fastball velocity were assessed using Pearson correlations.

Results

Thirty-five healthy pitchers participated in the study (19.7 ± 1.8 years). Pitchers demonstrated significantly greater isometric shoulder strength at the 90° and 135° abduction positions with the throwing arm compared to the non-throwing arm. Pitchers also demonstrated commonly observed musculoskeletal adaptations in the throwing arm such as increased passive external rotation, decreased passive internal rotation, and greater internal and external rotator strength during isokinetic testing. Peak force production during the ASH test was not related to fastball velocity.

Conclusion

The ASH test is capable of detecting bilateral shoulder strength adaptations commonly observed in other clinical tests in healthy pitchers. Pitchers demonstrated greater isometric peak force during the ASH test at levels of shoulder abduction similar to those observed in pitching. While these results may be intriguing for clinical use, peak force from the ASH test was not correlated to fastball velocity in pitchers, and therefore should be used with caution for predictions in this realm.

Level of Evidence

2.

Clinical Relevance

A need exists for objective measures of shoulder strength for rehabilitation and injury risk monitoring in throwing athletes that are easy to administer, have high reliability and validity, and provide minimal re-injury risk to athletes recovering from injury.

What is known about the subject

Data from the ASH test has been published previously in non-throwing athletes and was shown to be valid and reliable in that group. However, the test has not been explored widely in throwing athletes who are known to have significant musculoskeletal adaptations to the throwing shoulder.

What this study adds to existing knowledge

The results from this study confirm that the ASH test is sensitive enough to detect the adaptations that are present in the healthy throwing athlete's shoulder. Due to the prior proven validity and reliability and these results, the test can be used to monitor throwing arm strength and function during rehabilitation or as a pre/intra-season screening tool to help describe arm health.