Does glenoid version affect the post-operative clinical outcome after repair of posterior labral tear: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Posterior shoulder instability and consequent labral tear have been predominantly associated with retroversion of the bony glenoid and chondrolabral version. However, literature concerning the degree of glenoid and chondrolabral version and clinical outcomes following labral repair is scarce.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken among patients with posterior shoulder instability who had undergone arthroscopic isolated posterior labral repair. The MRI was used to assess the bony and labral variations of the glenoid using the Friedman method and further categorized as either anteverted or retroverted glenoid. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were used to evaluate pre- and postoperative clinical outcomes at a minimum follow-up of one year.

RESULTS: 33 shoulder MRIs performed at our institution were available for radiographic analysis. Among the 33 shoulders that underwent posterior shoulder capsulolabral repair, 23 were available for clinical follow-up for at least one year (range, 12-108 months). The mean (±SD) labral version and bony version were -3.98 (±5.68) and -2.83 (±5.20), respectively. The mean (±SD) postoperative ASES, Oxford score, and SANE scores for all participants were 84.04 (±14.14), 43.38 (±3.81), and 78.57 (±17.40), respectively. However, the difference in clinical outcomes in patients with anteverted or retroverted glenoid versions was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Our study concludes a strong correlation between posterior glenohumeral instability and higher degree of glenoid retroversion. Nevertheless, variations in the glenoid version appear to have no significant impact on clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF STUDY: Level IV, retrospective cohort.