Am J Sports Med 31:56-63, 2003

Burkart A, Debski RE, Musahl V, McMahon PJ


BACKGROUND: The effect on joint stability of repair of type II superior labrum and biceps anchor lesions is unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Increased translations of the glenohumeral joint after a simulated type II lesion will be reduced after the lesion is repaired. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A robotic/universal force-moment testing system was used to simulate load-and-shift and apprehension tests on eight cadaveric shoulders to determine joint kinematics of the shoulder after venting, creation of a type II lesion, and repair of the lesion. RESULTS: At 30 degrees of abduction, anterior translation of the vented joint in response to an anterior load was 18.7 +/- 8.5 mm and was significantly increased to 26.2 +/- 6.5 mm after simulation of a type II lesion. Repair did not restore anterior translation (23.9 +/- 8.6 mm) to that of the vented joint. The inferior translation that also occurred during application of an anterior load was 3.8 +/- 4.0 mm in the vented joint and increased significantly to 8.5 +/- 5.4 mm with a simulated type II lesion. After repair, the inferior translation decreased significantly to 6.7 +/- 5.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of a type II lesion only partially restored glenohumeral translations to that of the vented joint. Clinical Relevance: Surgical techniques including improved repair of passive stabilizers injured in the type II lesion should be considered.