title: Arthroscopic Stabilization of Posterior Shoulder Instability Is Successful in American Football Players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate subjective and objective clinical outcomes of arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair for the treatment of symptomatic unidirectional posterior shoulder instability in American football players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six consecutive American football players with unidirectional posterior shoulder instability underwent an arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair with or without suture anchors. Patients were evaluated, with return to play as the primary outcome measure supplemented with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scoring system. Stability, range of motion, strength, pain, and function were also assessed with subjective scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a mean follow-up of 44.7 months postoperatively, 93% returned to sport and 79% returned to sport at the same level. Significant improvements (P < .01) were seen between preoperative and postoperative evaluations in ASES score and subjective scores of stability, range of motion, strength, pain, and function. Excellent or good results (ASES score > 60; stability < 6) were achieved in 96.5% of athletes, and 96% were satisfied with their operations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair for unidirectional posterior shoulder instability is effective in American football players because it improves stability, pain, and joint function, which optimizes the likelihood of successful return to play.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series; Level of evidence, IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Justin W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Arner
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McClincy
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.. Electronic address: bradleyjp@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068958:Return to Sport; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain; D053441:Suture Anchors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult