Sports Activity After Arthroscopic Superior Labral Repair Using Suture Anchors in Overhead-Throwing Athletes

Purpose: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of type II superior labral anterior posterior lesions of the shoulder in overhead athletes. Hypothesis: Such repair is useful for overhead athletes in terms of postoperative sports activity. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The study group was composed of 40 patients with a mean age of 24 years (range, 15–38 years); mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 24–58 months). They were divided into an overuse (n = 22) and a trauma group (n = 18). The authors used 2 suture anchors loaded with a nonabsorbable suture at the 11-o’clock and 1-o’clock positions through the anterosuperior and lateral trans–rotator cuff portal. A modified Rowe score and postoperative athletic activities were evaluated. Results: After arthroscopic repair, mean modified Rowe scores improved from 27.5 to 92.1 points ( P < .0001). Rated on this scale, the results were excellent in 30 (75%), good in 6 (15%), and fair in 4 (10%) athletes; there were no poor results. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 36 (90%) of these patients; 30 (75%) experienced a return to the preinjury level. The complete return rate of baseball players in the overuse group was lower than that of other overhead athletes in the trauma group. Conclusion: Arthroscopic superior labral repair is a safe and reliable procedure in overhead athletes. Keywords: superior labral lesion type II superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesion arthroscopic repair suture anchor overhead athletes