Arthroscopic findings and functional outcome of shoulder injury in the young overhead athletes

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis Overhead athletes are having higher risk to suffer from acute and chronic shoulder injuries. Research aim to evaluate shoulder complex functional characteristics of the overhead and non-overhead young athletes before and 2 years after the concomitant arthroscopic type II superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) and partial–thickness rotator cuff (PTRC) repair and to present specific rehabilitation guidelines needed for successful return to sports. Methods The sample of the research included 38 male athletes: overhead (n=19) and non-overhead (n=19) athletes. All participants underwent concomitant arthroscopic type II SLAP and PTRC repair and were available for review at a minimum of 2 year after surgery. Shoulder range of motion was measured with goniometer. Constant score was used for evaluation of the shoulder function’s quality. Results Function of the shoulder complex had higher increase in non-overhead group (p<0.05). Constant score 2 years after surgery hadn’t returned to optimal level. Shoulder flexion and internal rotation ROM in both groups and external rotation ROM of non-overhead athletes were the same as before surgery. Discussion and conclusion Functional characteristics of shoulder complex measured with Constant score of overhead and nonoverhead athletes statistically significant increased 2 years after the arthroscopic surgery. Significant change of external rotation was established in overhead athletes: 2 years after surgery it was significantly smaller. Sports specific and diagnose-based rehabilitation is needed to decrease deficit in function of the shoulder complex after concomitant arthroscopic type II SLAP and PTRC repair.