Handedness-related outcome following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization

Bankart's repair technique represents a standard procedure for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with excellent functional outcomes. Information concerning handedness-related outcome is missing. Here, we compare the postoperative outcome following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization in relation to handedness, taking sex and age as covariates into account.

Our retrospective dual-cohort study included 36 patients with dominant side shoulder instability (mean follow-up 33 months) and 31 patients with non-dominant side shoulder instability (mean follow-up 41 months), who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization due to traumatic anterior-inferior shoulder instability. All had experienced recurrent dislocations preoperatively. The impact of handedness, and of age and sex as covariates on postoperative outcome was evaluated by the Rowe score, the apprehension test and self-reported VAS.

Postoperatively, the Rowe score of the dominant side (mean 81.8, median 97.5) and the non-dominant side (mean 84.8, median 100) was not different (P = 0.718). Likewise, the univariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.806), sex (P = 0.627) and age (P = 0.929) as well as multivariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.721), sex (P = 0.583) and age (P = 0.898) showed no difference. The apprehension test for dominant versus non-dominant side operated patients was not different (P = 0.194). The univariate and multivariate analysis for handedness (P = 0.202 and P = 0.387, respectively) and age (P = 0.322 and P = 0.310, respectively) revealed no difference. However, the univariate and multivariate analysis for sex (P = 0.007 and P = 0.013, respectively) showed a difference. In relation to handedness, the results for the validated self-reported pain (rest pain P = 0.696, load-dependent pain P = 0.332) and surgery outcome satisfaction (P = 0.912) VAS were not different.

Patients with shoulder instability, who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair for stabilization of their dominant or non-dominant shoulder showed no handedness-related difference in postoperative outcome based on Rowe score, apprehension test and self-reported VAS. For the orthopedic practice, this suggests that handedness is not a risk factor for patients outcome.

Level IV, cohort study.