Arthroscopic Treatment of SLAP Lesion

Ki, Yong Byun; Lee, Kwang Jin; Kwon, Soon Tae; Song, Jae Gie

Abstract

This is retrospective study of the 18 patients of SLAP lesion which were found during arthroscopic treatment of 92 patients. The patients were diagnosed as recurrent shoulder dislocation (50 patients), shoulder impingement syndrome (36 patients) and SLAP lesion (four patients), clinically and radiologically, between March 1989 and June 1995. SLAP lesion were found in eleven patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation, three patients with impingement syndromes. Solitary SLAP lesions were found in four patients. Mean follow-up time was 36 months (range, 12 to 72 months) and average age of patients were 26 years old. Type I SLAP lesion by Snyder's classification were eight cases, type II were seven cases, type III were two cases and type IV was one case. Arthroscopic debridement of frayed or degenerated labrum and biceps tendon anchor were per formed in ten cases of type I and III. In type II and IV, six cases were repaired by arthroscopic placement of multiple suture, two cases were repaired by biodegradable tack (Suretac). The result were quantitated with Rowe rating scale. Eleven cases were exellent, four cases were good, and three cases were fair with Rowe rating scale. Our study revealed that these lesions were not uncommon in instability or impingement of shoulder. Type II SLAP lesion was frequently associated with anterior shoulder instability.