Arthroscopic Repair of Type II SLAP Lesion with Bioabsorbable Knotless Suture Anchor: Surgical Technique and Clinical Results

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of bioabsorbable knotless suture anchoring for isolated type II SLAP. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients with isolated type II SLAP underwent a surgical repair with bioabsorbable knotless anchor arthroscopically. Instability, rotator cuff tears or simple subacromial decompression were excluded. The UCLA and pain of VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), ADL (Activity of Daily Living, from the American Shoulder and Elbow Society) were evaluated and patients underwent a thorough shoulder examination at a minimum follow-up period of 2 years postoperatively. Results: At a mean of 27.1 months follow-up. The mean UCLA score improved from 14.4 pre-operatively to 31.2 on last follow-up. The mean VAS for pain was 4.9 and on last follow-up 1.0. The mean VAS for instability was 2.6 and on last follow-up 0.5. The mean ADL was 10.4 and on last follow-up 25.0. 12 patients reported their satisfaction as good to excellent and 10 of the 14 patients returned to their pre-injury level of activity (athletics) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair with bioabsorbable knotless suture anchors is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of an isolated unstable type II SLAP lesion. Overall satisfaction was only 85.7%. 1 patient had severe stiffness and 1 patient had shoulder pain.