Arthroscopic Subscapularis Augmentation Using the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon for Anterior Shoulder Instability

Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair leads to satisfactory clinical and functional mid-term outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and less than a subcritical glenoid bone loss

PURPOSE

The long-term failure rate of the arthroscopic Bankart repair may reach unacceptable values, raising the need to augment this classic procedure. Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation is the tenodesis of the upper part of the subscapularis tendon to the anterior glenoid rim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mid-term clinical and functional outcomes of patients operated with arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair due to recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-centre case series study with prospectively collected data. All patients suffered from recurrent anterior shoulder instability and had glenoid bone loss less than 13.5% of the inferior glenoid diameter (subcritical glenoid bone loss). Patients with greater anterior glenoid bone defect, engaging Hill-Sachs lesions, multidirectional instability or subscapularis insufficiency were excluded. Postoperatively, all patients were evaluated for recurrence and apprehension. The patient's shoulder range of motion and functional scores were recorded.

RESULTS

The final study cohort included 34 patients with a mean age of 29.3 ± 10.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 42.4 ± 10.7 months (range, 24-62 months). Two out of 34 patients (5.8%) experienced a re-dislocation postoperatively, while one additional patient had a subjective feeling of apprehension. External rotation at the last follow-up was lower compared to preoperative values or the healthy side, but only one patient had restrictions in his sporting activities. The functional scores were significantly increased compared to the preoperative values. Twenty-two out of 26 patients (84.6%) returned to the same level of sporting activities, and 30/34 patients (88.2%) were highly satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair reduces the dislocation recurrence rate and leads to satisfactory clinical and functional mid-term outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and less than a subcritical glenoid bone loss.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation by arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation using the long head of the Biceps tendon

BACKGROUND

Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation is a common shoulder problem, usually caused by a force from the front when the shoulder joint is abducted and externally rotated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation using the long head of the biceps tendon on shoulder motion after restoring anterior stability of the joint in patients with 13.5-20% of scapular glenoid defects.

METHODS

Fifty patients admitted to our department with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation between April 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups (groups A and B, n = 25 each) with comparable age, sex, hand dominance, and articular glenoid bone loss. Patients in group A were treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair and subscapularis augmentation, whereas those in group B underwent arthroscopic long head of the biceps transposition and subscapularis augmentation. All patients in both groups were followed up for more than 1 year, with a mean follow-up period of 20.1 ± 0.7 months (range, 13-28 months). The primary outcomes were changes in the visual analog scale score, Rowe classification, and Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score.

RESULTS

None of the patients in either group had experienced recurrent dislocation at 1-year follow-up. The visual analog scale scores decreased, and the Rowe and Constant-Murley scores improved significantly compared to the preoperative scores. Significant differences were observed in the forward flexion, abduction, and internal rotation angles of the shoulder joint in both groups at 1-year follow-up compared to baseline. The postoperative forward flexion (P = 0.143), abduction (P = 0.778), and internal rotation angles (P = 0.609) did not differ significantly between the two groups. At 1-year follow-up, the loss of angles of external rotation at the side and external rotation at 90° abduction in group B exhibited significantly less angular loss than group A.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation using the long head of the biceps transposition technique was effective at restoring anterior stability in patients with 13.5-20% scapular glenoid defects. It was more effective at restoring the external rotational function of the shoulder joint than arthroscopic Bankart repair and subscapularis augmentation.

Early Treatment of Shoulder Pathology Is Necessary but Not Enough Is Being Performed

Delayed treatment of shoulder instability results in bone loss requiring more-complicated surgery, in turn resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Similarly, delayed treatment of repairable rotator cuff tears results in irreparable tears requiring more-complicated surgery and resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Delayed treatment of shoulder pathology is a problem. Solutions include education and research investigation.