[Lesions of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon]. / Läsionen der Rotatorenmanschette und Bizepssehne.

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEM: The rotator cuff is a complex anatomical structure and the integrity is pivotal for the shoulder functionality. The pathologies are often multifactorial, resulting from degenerative, vascular, traumatic and mechanical factors. RADIOLOGICAL STANDARD PROCEDURES: Radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) form the pillars of radiological diagnostics. Each modality has specific advantages and limitations in the visualization and assessment of pathologies of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon. METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS: The MR arthrography offers additional insights in unclear cases by enhancing the differentiation between complete and partial tears. PERFORMANCE: The MRI provides detailed information on tendon quality and associated damages, such as muscle atrophy and fat infiltration, making it the preferred method. The use of MR arthrography can identify defects through increased intra-articular pressure or contrast medium leakage. EVALUATION: Muscle damage, as induced by edema in acute injuries or fatty degeneration in chronic conditions, can be evaluated using imaging techniques. Special attention is warranted for the infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor muscles due to their unique injury patterns and prevalences.

Superior labrum anterior to posterior lesions: Part 1 - Imaging and anatomy with arthroscopic classification.

The glenoid labrum deepens the glenoid fossa and allows for the attachment of the long head of the biceps tendon and the glenohumeral ligaments, contributing to the stability of the glenohumeral joint. The superior labrum is a common site of labral injury, especially in athletic activities involving overhead activity. The acronym SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior or anteroposterior) lesion was introduced by Snyder and colleagues in 1990 to describe superior labral tears. The article will review the optimal technique to image the glenoid labrum, covering normal labral anatomy with special emphasis on the anatomic variants of the labrum that can be mistaken for SLAP tears by means of colour illustrations, magnetic resonance imaging and correlative arthroscopy images. Contribution: The illustrated review functions as a crucial radiological guide for both radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons. The combination of illustrations, MR and correlative arthroscopic images enhances the comprehension of normal labral anatomy and its variants. The review underscores the significance of understanding anatomic variations that may be misinterpreted as pathology. This understanding is vital in guiding orthopaedic management for patients, ensuring appropriate treatment strategies.

3-Tesla T2 Mapping Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluation of SLAP Lesions in Patients with Shoulder Pain: An Arthroscopy-Controlled Study.

This study investigated the ability of T2 mapping to assess the glenoid labrum and to differentiate between healthy labral substances and superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions using arthroscopy as the gold standard. Eighteen patients (mean age: 52.4 ± 14.72 years, 12 men) with shoulder pain were examined using 3-Tesla T2 mapping. All the patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy. Using morphological sequences for correlation, regions of interest covering the entire labral substance were placed in the corresponding T2 maps. The diagnostic cutoff values, sensitivities, and specificities, as well as the inter-reader correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined by two independent radiologists, were calculated. The mean T2 value was 20.8 ± 2.4 ms for the healthy labral substances and 37.7 ± 10.63 ms in the patients with SLAP lesions. The maximum T2 value in normal labrum (21.2 ms) was lower than the minimum T2 value in the patients with SLAP lesions (27.8 ms), leading to sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of 100% (95% CI 54.1-100.0) for all the cutoff values between 21.2 and 27.8 ms. The ICCs ranged from 0.91 to 0.99. In summary, the data suggest that evaluation and quantification of the labral (ultra)structural integrity using T2 mapping may allow discrimination between arthroscopically confirmed SLAP lesions and a healthy glenoid labrum. T2 mapping may therefore be helpful in diagnosing patients with suspected labral damage.

MR arthrography: correlation between anatomic intraarticular variants of the long head of the biceps tendon (long head biceps tendon) and superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work is to characterize the anatomy of the intraarticular portion of the long head of the biceps tendon (long head biceps tendon) using magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography by investigating whether anatomical variants may facilitate the onset of a supraequatorial lesion (superior labral anterior to posterior, SLAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 482 shoulder MR arthrographies, we considered the anatomical variants of the intraarticular portion of the long head of the biceps tendon classified according to Dierickx's arthroscopic classification; lesions of supraequatorial structures were considered in the data analysis. For each anatomical variant, correlation with SLAP and the odd ratio were statistically evaluated, using Fisher's exact (or chi-squared) test and logistic regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS: In the mesotenon-type variant, the SLAP frequency was higher than expected [χ2 (df = 4) = 14.9, p = 0.005] with a higher risk of developing a type I SLAP (p = 0.0003). In the adherent-type variant, the type II SLAP frequency was higher than expected [χ2 (df = 3) = 18.1, p = 0.0004] with a higher risk of developing type II SLAP (p = 0.0001). Two cases of "split" (SPL) long head biceps tendon had III and type IV SLAP, respectively. These patients have a higher risk for type IV SLAP [odds ratio (OR) 19.562, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.604-238.541, p = 0.001]. An increased risk of developing SLAP type II was calculated for male subjects (OR 3.479, 95% CI 1.013-11.951, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that adherence of the long head biceps tendon to the supraspinatus more often predisposes to a lesion of the superior glenoid labrum (SLAP), in view of the close relationships between the fibrocartilage and the bicipital anchor, probably related to the limited excursion of the intraarticular long head biceps tendon.

The Injured Shoulder in High-Level Male Gymnasts, Part 1: Epidemiology and Pathoanatomy of Surgically Treated Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Weightbearing and traction-suspension movements with the upper limbs put considerable demands upon the shoulder region of high-level gymnasts. The diagnosis of instability in these gymnasts may be difficult because voluntary inferior shoulder subluxation is part of their training and is needed to perform some acrobatic figures. PURPOSE: To (1) assess the epidemiology of shoulder lesions requiring surgery, (2) describe the types of injuries and assess which maneuvers and equipment put the gymnast most at risk, and (3) present a pathoanatomic classification of the injured shoulder in high-level male gymnasts. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Over a 20-year period (1994-2014), 26 high-level male gymnasts (30 shoulders; mean age, 22 years; range, 16-33 years) were referred to our surgical center for shoulder pain or instability. Four gymnasts underwent surgery on both shoulders. All shoulders were evaluated clinically, radiologically, and arthroscopically. An independent observer evaluated the circumstances in which these lesions occurred, including the apparatus used and the maneuvers performed. RESULTS: The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 8 months (range, 6-24 months). Eighteen injured shoulders (60%) had chronic overuse injuries. In 27 shoulders (90%), the mechanism of injury was traction of the arm in forced flexion-rotation while using suspension equipment with locked hands on the bars or the rings. In the remaining 3 shoulders, the traumatic position was one of an isometric muscle contraction against gravity, sustained while performing strength-and-hold positions on the rings. Based on the main presenting symptoms (pain and/or instability) and main anatomic lesions found during arthroscopy, the injured gymnasts' shoulders were classified into 2 categories: painful shoulders (n = 13) with no clinical, radiological, or arthroscopic findings of instability (mainly superior cuff and biceps anchor lesions) and unstable shoulders (n = 17) with isolated inferior capsule labral tears or mixed lesions (tendinous and capsulolabral). Some gymnasts with inferior labral tears had no recall of having suffered a dislocation or subluxation. CONCLUSION: The majority of injuries requiring surgery in this population occurred during traction in forced flexion-rotation using suspension equipment. Injured shoulders were classified as either painful or unstable shoulders.

Intra-articular long head of the biceps tendon: magnetic resonance-arthrography classification and review of literature.

PURPOSE: Anatomical variants of the long head of the biceps (LHB) and diseases of the rotator interval structures may contribute to shoulder instability. The rotator interval and the LHB tendon are closely associated anatomic structures that confer stability to the shoulder. Anatomical variants around the origins of the long head of the biceps (LHB) are reported to occur with a frequency of 1.9-7.4%. In the past years, many authors have proposed different approaches for the identification and characterization of LHB and rotators interval. Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography is considered the reference standard in imaging to diagnose superior shoulder diseases. However, few authors have analysed the anatomical variants and the relation between those and shoulder instability. This study aimed to identify the frequency of variants observed during arthroscopic shoulder surgeries, and to classify them based on the Dierickx classification system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 326 MR arthrograms we investigated the incidence of LHB anatomical variations and their association with shoulder diseases. RESULTS: We found 252/326 (77.3%) cases of LHB free, 40/326(12.26%) cases of LHB adherent, 31/326(9.50%) cases of mesotenon, and 3/326(0.9%) cases of split biceps. The prevalence of rotator interval synovitis in the mesotenon group was greater than in the LHB-free group. Moreover, in the LHB-adherent group we observed increased incidence of sublabral recess and SLAP lesions compared with the LHB-free group. CONCLUSIONS: MR-arthrography is useful in the evaluation of superior shoulder structures. A relationship exists between LHB anomalies and superior shoulder instability.

The Buford complex: prevalence and relationship with labral pathologies.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the Buford complex and to investigate its association with labral pathologies (superior labrum anterior-posterior [SLAP] lesion and anterior, posterior, or multidirectional instability) using a very large patient database. Furthermore, the prevalence of the Buford complex in patients without any labral pathology was also determined. METHODS: A total of 3129 consecutive shoulder arthroscopy procedures were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of the Buford complex and coexisting labral pathologies. The relationships between the Buford complex and SLAP lesions, as well as instability, were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The Buford complex was observed in 83 shoulders (2.65%). SLAP lesions were significantly more frequent in patients with the Buford complex than in those without it (81.9% vs. 33.1%, P < .001) Shoulders with the Buford complex presented a lower frequency of anterior instability (10.8% vs. 19.3%, P = .052) and a higher frequency of posterior instability (1.2% vs. 0.9%, P = .789). The prevalence of the Buford complex in patients with and without labral pathologies was 4.6% and 0.3%, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study, to our knowledge, includes the largest cohort in the literature reporting the prevalence of the Buford complex (2.65%). In the 1461 patients without labral tears or multidirectional instability, the prevalence of the Buford complex was 0.3%. This result suggests that the real prevalence of the Buford complex might be lower than that reported previously. In addition to the aforementioned conclusions, the identification of the Buford complex should prompt a thorough evaluation for concomitant SLAP lesions.

Diagnostic performance of 3D-multi-Echo-data-image-combination (MEDIC) for evaluating SLAP lesions of the shoulder.

BACKGROUND: Superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions remain a clinical and diagnostic challenge in routine (non-arthrographic) MR examinations of the shoulder. This study prospectively evaluated the ability of 3D-Multi-Echo-Data-Image-Combination (MEDIC) compared to that of routine high resolution 2D-proton-density weighted fat-saturated (PD fs) sequence using 3 T-MRI to detect SLAP lesions using arthroscopy as gold standard. METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients (mean age, 51.6 ± 14.8 years, 11 males) with shoulder pain underwent 3 T MRI including 3D-MEDIC and 2D-PD fs followed by arthroscopy. The presence or absence of SLAP lesions was evaluated using both sequences by two independent raters with 4 and 14 years of experience in musculoskeletal MRI, respectively. During arthroscopy, SLAP lesions were classified according to Snyder's criteria by two certified orthopedic shoulder surgeons. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 3D-MEDIC and 2D-PD fs for detection of SLAP lesions were calculated with reference to arthroscopy as a gold standard. Interreader agreement and sequence correlation were analyzed using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Figure 1 demonstrates the excellent visibility of a proven SLAP lesion using the 3D-MEDIC and Fig. 2 demonstrates a false-positive case. RESULTS: Arthroscopy revealed SLAP lesions in 11/17 patients. Using 3D-MEDIC, SLAP lesions were diagnosed in 14/17 patients by reader 1 and in 13/17 patients by reader 2. Using 2D-PD fs, SLAP lesions were diagnosed in 11/17 patients by reader 1 and 12/17 patients for reader 2. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 3D-MEDIC were 100.0, 50.0, 78.6, and 100.0% for reader 1; and 100.0, 66.7, 84.6, and 100% for reader 2, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 2D-PD fs were 90.9, 83.3, 90.9, and 83.3% for reader 1 and 100.0, 83.3, 91.7, and 100.0% for reader 2. The combination of 2D-PD fs and 3D-MEDIC increased specificity from 50.0 to 83.3% for reader 1 and from 66.7 to 100.0% for reader 2. Interreader agreement was almost perfect with a Cohen's kappa of 0.82 for 3D-MEDIC and 0.87 for PD fs. CONCLUSIONS: With its high sensitivity and NPV, 3D-MEDIC is a valuable tool for the evaluation of SLAP lesions. As the combination with routine 2D-PD fs further increases specificity, we recommend incorporation of 3D-MEDIC as an additional sequence in conventional shoulder protocols in patients with non-specific shoulder pain.

Magnetic resonance-guided direct shoulder arthrography for the detection of superior labrum anterior-posterior lesions using an open 1.0-T MRI scanner.

PURPOSE: Direct magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) offers increased diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions. The aim of the present study was to present the technique of magnetic resonance-guided direct shoulder arthrography (MDSA), to evaluate the diagnostic value of this novel MRA procedure to detect SLAP lesions in comparison to the currently practiced MRI, and to correlate the radiological findings to the respective arthroscopic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with clinical signs of a SLAP lesion underwent both MRI examination and MDSA prior to arthroscopic surgery. The MRI of both interventions were compared with the arthroscopic findings. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting SLAP lesions were 23%, 88%, and 54% on MRI and 80%, 81%, and 80% on MDSA, respectively. Sensitivity (p < 0.001) and accuracy (p = 0.001) in detection of SLAP lesions were significantly higher by MDSA whereas accuracy showed no significant differences (p = 0.625). CONCLUSIONS: The MDSA can be performed in an open 1.0-T MRI scanner with a high level of technical success and a reasonable methodical effort. The modification of MRA provides the requirements as a practicable routine shoulder magnetic resonance examination including arthrography to detect SLAP lesions. The diagnostic value is significantly better than MRI examinations without included arthrography, which currently predominates the clinical practice to investigate shoulder pathology.

Return to Play and Outcomes in Baseball Players After Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior Repairs.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have documented the outcomes of superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) repairs in baseball players. Furthermore, the results of these previous studies varied widely and were based on small numbers of patients. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose was to report return-to-play (RTP) rates and validated subjective outcome scores for baseball players after SLAP repair. It was hypothesized that RTP rates and outcomes would be significantly different between pitchers and nonpitchers, as well as among baseball levels. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A series of 216 baseball players was identified who had isolated SLAP repair or SLAP repair with debridement of partial-thickness (<25%) rotator cuff tear at our surgical centers. Patients were contacted by phone a minimum of 2 years after surgery and asked questions about their ability to RTP. Patients were also asked questions to complete the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), Veteran's RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) questionnaires. Statistical equivalence in RTP rate, VR-12, and WOSI scores was determined between players with and without concomitant rotator cuff debridement using 2 one-sided tests and risk difference measures. Differences in RTP were tested among baseball levels (high school, college, professional) and positions (pitcher vs nonpitcher) using chi-square analyses ( P < .05). Differences in outcomes scores were compared using t tests and analyses of variance ( P < .05). RESULTS: Of the 216 baseball players, 133 were reached by phone for follow-up interview (mean, 78 months; range, 27-146 months). Overall, 62% successfully returned to play. There were no differences in RTP rates or subjective outcomes among baseball levels or between procedures. RTP rates were 59% for pitchers and 76% for nonpitchers ( P = .060). Subjectively, the percentage of patients who felt the same or better at follow-up compared to preinjury was significantly higher among nonpitchers (66%) than pitchers (43%). There was no difference in KJOC scores between the pitchers (75.3 ± 19.4) and nonpitchers (76.2 ± 17.4) who successfully returned to play, although these scores were well below the minimum desired score of 90 for healthy baseball players. CONCLUSION: SLAP repair should continue to be considered as an option for SLAP tear treatment only after nonsurgical management has failed. Some players may be able to return to baseball after SLAP repair, although regaining preinjury health and performance is challenging.

Sham surgery versus labral repair or biceps tenodesis for type II SLAP lesions of the shoulder: a three-armed randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Labral repair and biceps tenodesis are routine operations for superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesion of the shoulder, but evidence of their efficacy is lacking. We evaluated the effect of labral repair, biceps tenodesis and sham surgery on SLAP lesions. METHODS: A double-blind, sham-controlled trial was conducted with 118 surgical candidates (mean age 40 years), with patient history, clinical symptoms and MRI arthrography indicating an isolated type II SLAP lesion. Patients were randomly assigned to either labral repair (n=40), biceps tenodesis (n=39) or sham surgery (n=39) if arthroscopy revealed an isolated SLAP II lesion. Primary outcomes at 6 and 24 months were clinical Rowe score ranging from 0 to 100 (best possible) and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) ranging from 0 (best possible) to 2100. Secondary outcomes were Oxford Instability Shoulder Score, change in main symptoms, EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS), patient satisfaction and complications. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences at any follow-up in any outcome. Between-group differences in Rowe scores at 2 years were: biceps tenodesis versus labral repair: 1.0 (95% CI -5.4 to 7.4), p=0.76; biceps tenodesis versus sham surgery: 1.6 (95% CI -5.0 to 8.1), p=0.64; and labral repair versus sham surgery: 0.6 (95% CI -5.9 to 7.0), p=0.86. Similar results-no differences between groups-were found for WOSI scores. Postoperative stiffness occurred in five patients after labral repair and in four patients after tenodesis. CONCLUSION: Neither labral repair nor biceps tenodesis had any significant clinical benefit over sham surgery for patients with SLAP II lesions in the population studied. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00586742.

Medium and long-term follow-up outcome after arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions with two Loops / 中国综合临床

Objective To determine the medium-long term functional outcome of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions with two loops.Methods According to retrospective study,29 cases patients with arthroscopic repairs of isolated type II SLAP lesions were collected from March 2011 to June 2013,the mean patient age at the time of surgery was 31.8 years(range17 to 47 years).All patients with ground anchor suture,and through double loop knot technology to fix SLAP injury.Visual analogue scale(VAS),Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic(KJOC),Roche Shouder function Score(ROWE) were used to determine the function of shoulder joint.The shoulderjoint range of motion before treatment and post treatment were recorded,shoulder joint mobility was recorded,satisfaction survey was done,compared the preoperative and postoperative data to evaluate its clinical effect.Results All patients were available for follow-up of 2.7-5.2 years.Overall,functional outcome was improved from baseline compared with final follow-up for VAS scores((4.3±1.2) points vs.(1.5±0.8) points,t=5.435,P<0.05),KJOC scores((72.1±4.9) points vs.(92.8±5.4) points,t=5.921,P<0.01),and ROWE scores((54.1±12.4) points vs.(84.3±10.2) points,t=7.326,P<0.01).Only a minority of patients feel pain when they did srenuous exercise.According to satisfaction investigation of patients,patient satisfaction was reported in 89.7%,3 cases had not good results,they could not return to previous level of play,including 2 cases were athletes,1 case was not athlete.Conclusion There is no more persistent pain and dysfunction after surgery,a good or excellent medium-long term functional outcome can be anticipated after arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions with two loops.

Arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions: Clinical and anatomic follow-up.

AIMS: The aim was to evaluate the clinical and anatomic outcome of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The senior author performed isolated repairs of 25 type II SLAP lesions in 25 patients with a mean age of 40.0 ± 12 years. All tears were repaired using standard arthroscopic suture anchor repair to bone. All patients were reviewed using a standardized clinical examination by a blinded, independent observer, and using several shoulder outcome measures. Patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging arthrogram at a minimum of 1-year postoperatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Two-tailed paired t-test were used to determine significant differences in preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes scores. In addition, a Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 54-month, the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Index (ASES) scores improved from 52.1 preoperatively to 86.1 postoperatively (P < 0.0001) and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores from 7.7 to 10.6 (P < 0.0002). Twenty-two out of the 25 patients (88%) stated that they would have surgery again. Of the 21 patients who had postoperative magnetic resonance imaging arthrographys (MRAs), 9 patients (43%) demonstrated dye tracking between the labrum bone interface suggestive of a recurrent tear and 12 patients (57%) had a completely intact repair. There was no significant difference in ASES, SST, and patient satisfaction scores in patients with recurrent or intact repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions demonstrated improvements in clinical outcomes. However, MRA imaging demonstrated 43% of patients with recurrent tears. MRA results do not necessarily correlate with clinical outcome.

Rehabilitation Exercises for Athletes With Biceps Disorders and SLAP Lesions: A Continuum of Exercises With Increasing Loads on the Biceps.

BACKGROUND: Although rehabilitation exercises are recommended in the nonoperative and postoperative treatment of biceps-related disorders and superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions in overhead athletes, a progressive exercise protocol with controlled low to moderate loads on the biceps has not yet been described. PURPOSE: To describe a continuum of exercises with progressive low to moderate loads on the biceps based on electromyographic (EMG) analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Using surface electromyography, the EMG activity of 8 muscles (upper [UT], middle [MT], and lower [LT] trapezius; serratus anterior [SA]; anterior [AD] and posterior [PD] portions of the deltoid; and biceps [BB] and triceps [TB] brachii) was measured in 32 healthy participants performing 16 commonly described shoulder rehabilitation exercises. RESULTS: Of the 16 exercises, 13 (side-lying shoulder forward flexion, prone extension, seated rowing, serratus punch, knee push-up plus, internal and external rotation both in 20° and 90° of abduction, forearm supination, uppercut, and internal and external rotation diagonal) showed low (<20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) EMG activity in the BB, and 3 (forward flexion in supination, full can, and elbow flexion in forearm supination) showed moderate (20%-50% MVIC) activity. None of the exercises elicited high (>50% MVIC) EMG activity. Based on the results, a ranking was calculated of the exercises, with mean EMG levels between 2.2% ± 1.24% (during internal rotation against resistance in 90° of shoulder abduction) and 35.9% ± 18.82% (during forward flexion in external rotation and supination) of MVIC. CONCLUSION: This study describes a continuum of exercises with an increasing level of EMG activity in the BB. Exercises targeting the trapezius resulted in less loads on the biceps compared with exercises for the SA. In addition, exercises with an internal rotation component showed low activity in the BB. In general, the exercises meant to target the BB showed the highest levels of activity in the BB. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results may assist the clinician in the appropriate choice of exercises in a graded rehabilitation program of biceps-related injuries.

Responsiveness of outcome measures in patients with superior labral anterior and posterior lesions.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of patients with superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions requires outcome measures validated for the purpose. The present study aimed to evaluate the responsiveness of the Rowe score, Oxford Instability Shoulder Score (OISS), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS) in patients treated for SLAP lesions. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients were included: 34 had arthroscopic labral repair, 28 had mini-open biceps tenodesis and 27 had physical treatment. The outcome measures were administrated before treatment and after 6 months. Responsiveness was evaluated using standardized response mean (SRM), area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROCAUC), reliable chance proportion (RCP) statistics and hypothesis testing. Minimal clinically important change (MCIC) estimates were reported. RESULTS: All outcome measures had high values of SRM (0.86-1.92). RCPs for the improved group were 68% to 79% for OISS, WOSI and Rowe score, and 15% to 49% for EuroQol. ROCAUC was >0.70 for all outcomes. MCIC estimates were 8 and 10 for OISS; 451 and 569 for WOSI; 17 and 18 for Rowe score; 0.39 and 0.53 for EQ-5D; and 35 and 41 for EQ-VAS. Responsiveness tested with hypotheses favours the shoulder-specific outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: OISS, WOSI and Rowe score are more responsive than EuroQol in evaluation of patients with SLAP lesions.