Operative Management Options for Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability in Patients Younger Than 30 Years

Patient perceptions after the operative and nonoperative treatment of shoulder instability: A qualitative focus group study

Background

Little evidence is available regarding patient perceptions of the treatment of shoulder instability. The aim of this study is to investigate patient perceptions regarding the operative and nonoperative treatment of anterior shoulder instability.

Methods

Patients who presented to the emergency department or outpatient clinic between 2016 and 2020 were retrospectively selected using diagnosis and procedure codes. Online focus groups and semistructured interviews were conducted, systematically recorded and subsequently transcribed to MaxQDA 2007 for qualitative analysis. Coded transcripts of all focus groups were subjected to a grounded theory-based analysis.

Results

Six focus groups and two semistructured interviews were hosted with 35 included patients. The mean age of included patients was 34.1 years (±11.5). Eight patients were female (23%), and 27 patients were male (77%). Fear of (recurrent) dislocation, preoperative counseling, communication between surgeon and physiotherapists and need for a consistent postoperative rehab protocol turned out to be important patient perceptions. The most crucial factor for discontent was a lack of communication from the surgeon.

Discussion

This patient-centered focus group study revealed that fear of (recurrent) dislocation, preoperative counseling, communication between surgeons and physiotherapists and the need for a consistent postoperative rehabilitation protocol was the most frequently discussed themes.

Functional and Sport-Specific Outcome Following Traumatic First-Time Shoulder Dislocation and Arthroscopic Surgical Repair in Rock Climbers

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic shoulder dislocations rank among the most common shoulder injuries in climbers, with rising numbers over the last years. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome following traumatic first-time shoulder dislocation and subsequent surgical treatment in this population.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, climbers who experienced a traumatic shoulder dislocation were treated with an arthroscopic repair of the labrum-ligament complex (LLC). The functional outcome was assessed with a standardized questionnaire and clinical examination, including the Constant Murley and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores. The sport-specific outcome was analyzed using the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UIAA) scale of difficulty and a sport-specific outcome score.

RESULTS

The functional and sport-specific outcome for 27 climbers (20 men; 7 women; 3 with bilateral injuries; age, 34±11 [17-61] y; data presented as mean±SD [range]) was assessed 53±29 (12-103) mo after surgery. The postoperative Constant Murley score was 95±8 (67-100) points. At follow-up, 93% (n=25) of patients had started climbing again. Twenty-one climbers (78%) reached a climbing level within the range of ±0.33 UIAA grades of their initial capability or even exceeded their preinjury grade. Only 7% (n=2) of the patients had a recurrent shoulder dislocation, leading to a secondary surgery, and, therefore, required ongoing postoperative treatment at the time of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic repair of the LLC following first-time traumatic shoulder dislocation in climbers shows a good outcome and a low recurrence rate. After surgery, most patients are able to regain a high level of rock-climbing ability.

No Difference Between Anchorless and Traditional Suture Anchors in Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: A Clinical Comparison

Background

Shoulder instability and recurrent dislocations are common problems encountered by orthopedic surgeons and are frequently associated with a Bankart lesion. These are classically treated with either open or arthroscopic repair utilizing traditional suture anchors, though anchorless fixation techniques have recently been developed as an alternate fixation method that reduces native bone loss and has comparable pull-out strength.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed at a single institution for patients who underwent Bankart repair from January 2008 through February 2014. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) questionnaires were mailed to 35 patients with anchorless fixation and 35 age-, gender-, and surgeon-matched patients with traditional suture anchors. Statistical analysis was performed comparing re-dislocation, additional surgery, and ASES scores with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

Eleven patients in the anchorless implant group and 15 patients in the anchor group completed the questionnaire. The mean follow-up was 4.1 years in the anchorless group and 5.6 years in the anchor group (p=0.04). The number of implants was 4.82 in the anchorless group and 3.87 in the anchor group (p = 0.04). No difference was found in re-dislocation rates (p = 0.80) or additional surgery on the affected shoulder (p = 0.75). ASES scores were found to have no statistical difference (89.89 for the anchorless group versus 85.37 for the anchor group; p = 0.78).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart lesion repair with traditional anchors compared to anchorless fixation, there appears to be no difference in shoulder re-dislocation rates, recurrent ipsilateral shoulder surgery, or ASES scores.

Clinical Evaluation and Physical Exam Findings in Patients with Anterior Shoulder Instability

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper is to provide an overview in evaluating the patient with suspected or known anteroinferior glenohumeral instability.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a high rate of recurrent subluxations or dislocations in young patients with history of anterior shoulder dislocation, and recurrent instability will increase likelihood of further damage to the glenohumeral joint. Proper identification and treatment of anterior shoulder instability can dramatically reduce the rate of recurrent dislocation and prevent subsequent complications. Overall, the anterior release or surprise test demonstrates the best sensitivity and specificity for clinically diagnosing anterior shoulder instability, although other tests also have favorable sensitivities, specificities, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and inter-rater reliabilities. Anterior shoulder instability is a relatively common injury in the young and athletic population. The combination of history and performing apprehension, relocation, release or surprise, anterior load, and anterior drawer exam maneuvers will optimize sensitivity and specificity for accurately diagnosing anterior shoulder instability in clinical practice.

Comparison of Intra-articular Findings and Clinical Features Between Patients With Symptomatic Anterior Instability After Recurrent Shoulder Subluxation and Dislocation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of concomitant intra-articular pathologies and clinical manifestations after arthroscopic stabilization between patients with symptomatic anterior instabilities following recurrent shoulder subluxations and dislocations.

METHODS

Among patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization, 28 patients who experienced shoulder subluxations (subluxation group, 26.7 ± 1.8 years) and 84 who had shoulder dislocations (dislocation group, 25.9 ± 2.2 years) were included. Recurrent shoulder subluxation was defined as instability caused by repeated injuries without a history of frank dislocation or manual reduction maneuver. Common inclusion criteria were positive clinical test of anterior instability and Bankart lesion with less than 25% of glenoid bone loss. The pathoanatomies in radiologic and arthroscopic examinations and postoperative clinical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

The number of instability events was significantly fewer in the subluxation group (5.0 ± 1.3) than in the dislocation group (12.1 ± 2.0; P = .01). The pathologic findings in preoperative radiology demonstrated no intergroup differences, except for the prevalence of Hill-Sachs lesions. In the subluxation group, the Hill-Sachs lesions were significantly less commonly detected with computed tomography and magnetic resonance arthrography (28.6%) than in the dislocation group (63.1%, 60.7%; P = .001, P = .003, respectively). There were no significant differences in arthroscopic findings in both groups including superior labral anterior to posterior lesion (subluxation group, 39.3%; dislocation group, 45.2%), anterior labral periosteal sleeve avulsion lesion (21.4%, 29.8%), and bony Bankart lesion (21.4%, 28.6%). Preoperative and postoperative functional outcomes also did not differ between the groups. There was no statistical difference in terms of the rate of revision or postoperative subjective instability.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who had anterior instability after recurrent shoulder subluxation demonstrated a similar rate of concomitant intra-articular pathologies requiring the same level of management as recurrent shoulder dislocation. Recurrent shoulder subluxation also displayed similar functional outcomes and failure rate after arthroscopic stabilization procedures as recurrent dislocation. Thus, the clinical importance of symptomatic recurrent subluxation should be considered comparable with that of recurrent dislocation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case control study.