Outcomes of combined arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repair.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears, Bankart lesions, and superior labral anterior posterior lesions commonly occur in isolation, but there is a subgroup of patients who experience combined injuries. Prior studies have excluded such patients as confounding groups.

HYPOTHESIS: In patients with combined lesions of the labrum and rotator cuff, arthroscopic repair of both lesions will restore range of motion and stability and provide good clinical results.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes of a series of patients with combined rotator cuff and labral (Bankart or superior labral anterior posterior) lesions treated arthroscopically.

RESULTS: Thirty patients (average age, 47.8 years) with combined rotator cuff and labral lesions were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 2.7 years (range, 24-54 months). Sixteen patients had Bankart lesions and 14 patients had SLAP lesions. Significant improvements in forward flexion (20.5 degrees, P = .005), external rotation (9.0 degrees, P = .008), and internal rotation (2 vertebral levels, P = .016) were observed. The mean L'Insalata and American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores for all patients were 92.9 and 94.3, respectively. Twenty-seven (90%) patients reported satisfaction as good to excellent, and 23 of 30 (77%) returned to their preinjury level of athletics. Two patients suffered recurrent rotator cuff tears.

CONCLUSION: In patients with rotator cuff and labral lesions, arthroscopic treatment of both lesions yields good clinical outcomes, restoration of motion, and a high degree of patient satisfaction.