The effect of subscapularis tenotomy in athletes operated on for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation

Some authors consider preservation of the subscapularis tendon as one of the most important elements for a successful long-term outcome in patients operated on with open capsulorrhaphy for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vertical tenotomy of the subscapularis tendon might affect internal rotation strength recovery in patients operated on with open capsulorrhaphy for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.

Ninety-six patients were retrospectively followed up at a mean of 72.5 months. They underwent clinical evaluation, Rowe and Walch-Duplay scoring scales, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and dynamometric measurements (side-to-side) of internal and external rotation, forward elevation, and abduction. All patients were athletes: 25% were practising risk-free sports, 44% contact sports, 14.5% sports with cocking of the arm, and 14.5% high-risk sports activities.

Five (5.2%) recurrences were registered, and all patients returned to pre-operative sports activity. The Rowe score was 98.12, the Walch-Duplay score 92.25, and the VAS score 0.1. Dynamometric assessment showed no significant differences (side-to-side) in internal rotation (p = 0.34), external rotation (p = 0.9), flexion (p = 0.7), and abduction (p = 0.7). Dominant arms showed better results than non-dominant arms (p < 0.01).

Complete tenotomy of the subscapularis tendon does not seem to negatively affect internal rotation strength recovery or external rotation movement in athletes.