Unstable isolated SLAP lesion: clinical presentation and outcome of arthroscopic fixation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and sensitivity of testing of unstable isolated SLAP (superior labrum anterior posterior) lesions and to evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic treatment.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
A retrospective review was made of 44 unstable SLAP lesions in 41 patients (40 male, 1 female) who did not have other pathologic shoulder findings. The mean follow-up period was 33 months (range, 25 to 67 months) and the mean age at the time of surgery was 24 years (range, 17 to 43 years). Twenty-six patients had an injury on the dominant shoulder and 3 had bilateral shoulder involvement. Arthroscopic fixation was performed with the use of a biodegradable tack (Suretac; Acufex, Mansfield, MA) in 14 cases, and with a screw-type metallic suture anchor (mini-Revo; Linvatec, Largo, FL) in 30 cases.


RESULTS
Pain (100%) and clicking (57%) were the most common symptoms. The compression-rotation test was positive in 84% of the patients before surgery. The average UCLA score at the last follow-up was 32.3 points; 22 cases were graded excellent, 16 good, and 6 poor. Based on the postoperative performance data collected from 33 athletes, 25 of them (76%) were able to return to their athletic activities. Among them, throwing athletes showed statistically better performance than did nonthrowing athletes (P = .011).


CONCLUSIONS
Pain, followed by clicking, was the most common symptom, and the most common sign was a positive compression rotation test. Arthroscopic treatment of unstable isolated SLAP lesions resulted in good or excellent UCLA scores in 86% of the patients. Throwing athletes showed more satisfactory results than nonthrowing athletes.


METHODS
Type IV, case series with no, or historical, control group.
Rhee
Yong Girl
YG
Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. shoulderrhee@hanmail.net
Lee
Dong Hun
DH
Lim
Chan Teak
CT
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D013177:Sports; D016896:Treatment Outcome