Return to Play and Performance Perceptions of Baseball Players After Isolated SLAP Tear Repair

Variable return-to-play (RTP) rates have been reported after surgical repair of superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears in baseball players. Many studies, however, have not controlled for concomitant shoulder injuries.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate rates of RTP and return to previous or higher performance level (RTPP) and long-term outcomes after isolated SLAP tear repair. The hypothesis was that improved outcomes would be identified compared with previous reports.

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

The records of 232 players who underwent isolated SLAP tear repair from 2004 to 2014 were reviewed. A total of 98 players who were at least 12 months out from surgery were identified. Through telephone interviews, participants completed the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) and answered scripted questions about RTP, RTPP, and current symptoms.

Of the 98 players who met the inclusion criteria, 73 (74.5%) participated. The mean age at the time of surgery was 19.8 ± 2.9 years. The mean follow-up time was 86.2 ± 25.1 months overall; it was 84.4 ± 24.4 months for pitchers and 90.3 ± 26.7 months for other position players, (P = .40). There were 10 professional, 36 collegiate, and 27 high school players. Most players perceived successful RTP (83.6%), including 80.0% of pitchers and 91.3% of other position players (P = .23). However, RTPP rates were lower, at 52.3% (n = 26) and 78.3% (n = 18) for pitchers and other position players, respectively (P = .03). Pitchers were younger at the time of surgery (19.3 ± 3.0 vs 20.8 ± 3.0 years, respectively; P = .03) and had greater perceived shoulder and general health impairments compared with other position players (P ≤ .02). Players who perceived successful RTPP had better WOSI of the healthy shoulder and individual physical, sports, lifestyle, and emotion scores compared with players who did not perceive successful RTPP.

After the surgical repair of isolated type II or greater SLAP tears, other position players displayed superior RTP (91.3% vs 80.0%, respectively) and RTPP (78.3% vs 52.3%, respectively) rates than pitchers. Long-term follow-up suggests that pitchers may perceive greater long-term impairments than other position players and are less likely to return to their previous or higher performance level.