The Effect of Age on the Outcomes of Arthroscopic Repair of Type II Superior Labral Anterior and Posterior Lesions

Abstract

Background The majority of clinical outcome studies of type II superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) repair assess patients younger than age 40. Biceps tenotomy or tenodesis is often recommended for patients older than age 40 with superior labrum-biceps complex injury. Hypothesis There is no difference in patient clinical outcomes comparing arthroscopic type II SLAP repair in patients younger or older than age 40. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Fifty-two patients stratified to groups younger than age 40 (21 patients; average age, 32.9 years) and older than age 40 (31 patients; average age, 55.1 years) were identified at a minimum 2-year follow-up (average, 28 months) after type II SLAP repair by a single surgeon using suture anchors. Outcome scores included American Shoulder and Elbow Society scores (ASES), Short Form-12 scores, Simple Shoulder Test scores, and visual analog pain scale. Results At follow-up, there was no statistical difference in visual analog pain scale (P = .16), ASES scores (P = .07), Simple Shoulder Test scores (P =.41), Short Form-12 testing, or range of motion testing. Patients older than age 40 noted their shoulder to be 87% of normal; 26 of 31 (84%) were satisfied to completely satisfied, and 28 of 31 (90%) would have the surgery again. Patients younger than 40 noted their shoulder to be approximately 89% of normal; 20 of 21 (95%) were satisfied to completely satisfied, and 18 of 21 (86%) would have the same procedure performed again. Conclusion Our findings support that arthroscopic treatment of isolated type II SLAP repair using suture anchors can yield good to excellent results in patients older and younger than age 40. We found no statistically significant difference in patient outcome scores, satisfaction levels, or willingness to have the same procedure again when comparing arthroscopic SLAP repair in patients younger or older than age 40.