Problem Solving for Failed Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Repair / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Stiffness and pain are major causes of failed superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair. The term, ‘failed SLAP repair’, can be defined as stiffness or pain without rotator cuff tears, acromio-clavicular pathology, arthritis, impingement syndrome, and other shoulder diseases. Moreover, it does not respond to conservative management. Generally, for failed SLAP repair, the initial conservative management includes physical therapy, strengthening exercise, oral medications, and injections. In addition, with failed conservative treatment, surgical intervention can be carried out. Surgical indications must be in consideration with patients' age, mechanism of injury, stability of the lesion, activity, former history of sports activity, and types of sports. Surgical treatments include debridement, SLAP repair, biceps tenodesis and tenotomy. However, each type of surgical method is controversial on both indications and prognosis. Surgical treatment on SLAP lesion is increasing, and studies on failed SLAP repair are expanding. The recommended first line therapy for failed SLAP lesion is conservative management, and with limited and thorough indications, surgical treatment yields good results, depending on concurrent lesions. However, authors recommend that it is important to seek for adjacent lesions prior to the initial SLAP repair to decrease failed SLAP repair.