Relationship between the extent of labral lesions and the frequency of glenohumeral dislocation in shoulder instability

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the extent of the labral lesion and the frequency of glenohumeral dislocation in patients with shoulder instability.

Methods: Ninety-three patients, who underwent surgical treatment at our clinic for chronic anterior shoulder dislocation, were selected and divided into 3 groups (group I: only Bankart lesion; group II: Bankart and SLAP lesions; group III: circumferential-labral lesion). The pre-operative frequency of dislocation, intraoperative findings, operation time, post-operative clinical score, and range of motion 2 years after surgery were analysed and compared among the 3 groups.

Results: The time interval from the initial dislocation to operation was significantly shorter in group III than in groups I and II (P = 0.034 and P = 0.046, respectively). The median number of preoperative dislocations was also significantly less in group III than in groups I and II (P = 0.025 and P = 0.044, respectively). In all groups, the clinical scores (Constant, Rowe, and visual analogue scale) improved significantly post-operatively, and there were no significant differences in the scores between the different groups. All patients returned to work, and most patients returned to their preoperative sports activity levels.

Conclusion: The extent of the labral lesion is not always related to the number of dislocations; therefore, treatment should not be based on this.

Level of evidence: Retrospective comparative study, Level III.