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Supraspinatus repair and biceps tenodesis in competitive CrossFit athletes allow for a 100% of return to sport

  • SHOULDER
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The shoulder is the most commonly injured body part in CrossFit training. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and MRI results of an arthroscopic repair of supraspinatus tear associated with SLAP lesion in competitive CrossFit athletes.

Methods

Competitive CrossFit athletes affected by a full-thickness supraspinatus tear associated with SLAP lesion secondary to training injury were prospectively enrolled in the study. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed with MRI (> 1.5 T). Functional evaluation was done using the Constant Score (CS) and ASES score (ASES). All lesions were treated with single-row repair and biceps tenodesis. Minimum follow-up (clinical, MRI) was 24 months.

Results

Nineteen patients were available at the final follow-up. The average age was 43-year-old (range 28–52, SD 8), 12 were males and 7 females. Pre-operative CS and ASES were 67 (range 61–77, SD 7) and 71 (range 62–79, SD 5), respectively. At the 24-month follow-up, 19/19 athletes resumed intensive training and 17/19 returned to competitions. CS and ASES rose to 90 (p = 0.039) and 93 (p = 0.04), respectively. At the final follow-up, MRI indicated complete healing of the tendon in 15 (79%) cases and 4 (21%) cases with type II Sugaya repair integrity. Two of the patients of the latter group did not return to their usual training level and showed type II (Kibler) scapular dyskinesis.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic repair of the supraspinatus tendon associated with biceps tenodesis led to a 100% of return-to-CrossFit training and 90% rate of individuals resuming competitions at 24 months of follow-up. MRI showed 15 (79%) cases of complete healing and 4 (21%) cases with type II Sugaya repair integrity; biceps tenodesis clinically failed only in 1 case and the athlete complained of a decrease in the competitions scores and opted to discontinue CrossFit competitions.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica San Feliciano, Via Giulio Pittarelli 114, 00166, Rome, Italy

    Stefano Carbone

  2. Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy

    Valerio Castagna, Vittorio Candela & Stefano Gumina

  3. Ospedale CTO, Rome, Italy

    Daniele Passaretti

  4. Villa Betania, Rome, Italy

    Simone Cerciello

  5. Marrelli Hospital, Crotone, Italy

    Simone Cerciello

  6. Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy

    Emilio Delli Sante

Authors
  1. Stefano Carbone
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  2. Valerio Castagna
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  3. Daniele Passaretti
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  4. Vittorio Candela
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  5. Simone Cerciello
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  6. Emilio Delli Sante
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  7. Stefano Gumina
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Correspondence to Stefano Carbone.

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This study was carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.

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All athletes signed informed consent and were informed about the purpose of the research.

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Carbone, S., Castagna, V., Passaretti, D. et al. Supraspinatus repair and biceps tenodesis in competitive CrossFit athletes allow for a 100% of return to sport. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29, 3929–3935 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06345-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06345-2

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