Arthroscopic stabilization in anterior shoulder instability: collision athletes versus noncollision athletes

Collision athletes have been reported to be at high risk of redislocation after stabilization for anterior shoulder instability. However, few studies have compared the results of arthroscopic stabilization with collision and noncollision athletes. The purposes of this study were to analyze clinical outcomes of arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization in athletes and to compare the results between collision and noncollision athletes.

A total of 29 athletes were enrolled in this study, including 14 collision athletes and 15 noncollision athletes. Mean age at the time of operation was 21.1 years, and mean follow-up period was 62.1 months (range, 25 to 117 months). All shoulders underwent arthroscopic stabilization.

Visual analogue scale score, Rowe score, and Constant score improved after surgery (P < .05), but no statistically significant difference was found between collision and noncollision groups (P < .05). In all, 19 athletes (65.5%) returned to near preinjury sports activity levels (90% or greater recovery) after operation. Five athletes (17.2%) experienced postoperative instability. One (3.4%) had subluxation and 4 (13.8%) had redislocation after surgery. Four cases in the collision group (28.6%) and 1 in the noncollision group (6.7%) had postoperative subluxation or dislocation (P = .118).

Arthroscopic stabilization for anterior instability of the shoulder is a reliable procedure with respect to shoulder function, range of motion, and postoperative return to sports activities in athletes. However, a high recurrence rate (17.2%) was observed among athletes. Compared with the noncollision group (6.7%), the collision group yielded a higher failure rate (28.6%) than was expected.

Level IV, prognostic case series.