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Isolated and combined Type II SLAP repairs in a military population

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy volume 15, pages 1382–1389 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

The study compares the clinical results of isolated arthroscopic repair of Type II SLAP tears with those of combined treatment for Type II SLAP and other associated shoulder conditions. The population was composed of 36 aged-matched active duty males with a mean age of 31.6 years (range 22–41 years); mean follow-up was 29.1 months (range 24–42 months). Eighteen subjects in Group I had isolated Type II SLAP tears. Eighteen subjects in Group II had Type II SLAP tear and concomitant ipsilateral shoulder conditions, including subacromial impingement in six patients, acromioclavicular arthrosis in three patients, subacromial impingement and acromioclavicular arthrosis in four patients, spinoglenoid cyst in four patients, and intra-articular loose bodies in one patient. Arthroscopic SLAP repair was performed with biodegradable suture anchors. Subacromial decompression and spinoglenoid cyst decompression were performed arthroscopically. Distal claviculectomy was performed in open fashion. Loose bodies were removed arthroscopically. At minimum 2-year follow-up, the mean UCLA score for Group I (30.2 ± 3.0 points) was not significantly different from Group II (30.8 ± 2.0 points) (P = 0.48). The mean post-operative ASES score for Group I (84.1 ± 13.4 points) was significantly lower than for Group II (91.8 ± 5.4 points) (P < 0.04). The mean VAS pain score for Group I (1.6 ± 1.3 points) was significantly higher than for Group II (0.7 ± 0.7 points) (P < 0.02). Seventeen of 18 patients (94%) in each group returned to full duty. In a population of active duty males, arthroscopic repair of isolated Type II SLAP had comparable results with a cohort of Type II SLAP repairs treated in combination with other shoulder conditions, with the combined treatment group having significantly better results in two of three parameters measured. Return to duty rates were identical. Therefore, concurrent treatment of other associated extra-articular shoulder conditions improves the overall success of SLAP repair and the presence of these other conditions should be recognized and treated along with the SLAP tears in order to maximize clinical results.

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Acknowledgments

The Chief, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC, Clinical Investigation Program sponsored this study (CIP no. P05-032). The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. The authors are military service members. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 U.S.C. 101 defines a United States Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties.”

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  1. Bone and Joint Sports Medicine Institute, Naval Medical Center, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA, 23708, USA

    Jerome G. Enad & Christopher A. Kurtz

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  1. Jerome G. Enad
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  2. Christopher A. Kurtz
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Correspondence to Jerome G. Enad.

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Enad, J.G., Kurtz, C.A. Isolated and combined Type II SLAP repairs in a military population. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 15, 1382–1389 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0334-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0334-8

Keywords

  • SLAP
  • Age-matched
  • Return to duty