Arthroscopic treatment of type 2 superior labrum anterior posterior lesions

Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for isolated type 2 superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions. Methods: Isolated type 2 SLAP lesions were treated with arthroscopic repair with suture anchors in eight patients (5 males, 3 females; mean age 48.5 years; range 27 to 60 years) with shoulder pain unresponsive to conservative treatment. The mean duration of symptoms was 18.6 months (range 2 to 48 months). Initial diagnoses were based on patientsʹ complaints and findings of physical examination and radiologic imaging and were confirmed at diagnostic arthroscopy. Two suture anchors were used in six patients. Patients were evaluated with physical examination, radiographs, and the UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) score. The mean follow-up was 30.8 months (range 14 to 48 months). Results : The mean preoperative and postoperative UCLA scores were 13.3 (range 10 to 18) and 30.8 (range 24 to 33), respectively (p<0.05). The results were good in seven patients (87.5%), and fair in one patient (12.5%). The mean preoperative active forward elevation was 136.3° (range 90° to 170°), adduction-external rotation was 42.5° (range 40° to 60°), and adduction-internal rotation was at T7 in three patients, and at Lj in five patients. At final follow-ups, the mean active forward flexion increased to 164.3° (range 150° to 170°), adduction-external rotation was 40° (range 30° to 60°), and adduction-internal rotation was at T7 in four patients, and at T2 in four patients. Conclusion: The results of arthroscopic fixation of type 2 SLAP lesions with suture anchors are successful in the majority of patients, provided that an appropriate arthroscopic technique is performed to re-establish the stability of the biceps anchor.