Risk Factors for Recurrence of Anterior Shoulder Instability after Arthroscopic Surgery with Suture Anchors

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the risk factors for the recurrence of anterior shoulder instability after arthroscopic surgery with suture anchors and the clinical outcomes after reoperation. METHODS: A total of 281 patients (February 2001 to December 2012) were enrolled into our study, and postoperative subluxation and dislocation were considered as recurrence of the condition. We analyzed radiologic results and functional outcome including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Evaluation Form, the Korean Shoulder Society Score, and the Rowe scores. RESULTS: Of the 281 patients, instability recurred in 51 patients (18.1%). Sixteen out of 51 patients (31.4%) received a reoperation. In terms of the functional outcome, we found that the intact group, comprising patients without recurrence, had a significantly better functional outcome than those in the recurrent group. The size of glenoid defect at the time of initial surgery significantly differed between intact and recurrent group (p<0.05). We found that the number of dislocations, the time from the initial presentation of symptoms to surgery, and the number of anchor points significantly differed between initial operation and revision group (p<0.05). The functional outcome after revision surgery was comparable to intact group after initial operation. CONCLUSIONS: Eighteen percent of recurrence occurred after arthroscopic instability surgery, and 5.6% received reoperation surgery. Risk factors for recurrence was the initial size of glenoid defect. In cases of revision surgery, good clinical outcomes could be achieved using additional suture anchor.