Abstract
Objectives:
For anterior shoulder instability, antero-inferior labral repair (Bankart repair) is a reliable surgery to prevent shoulder dislocation. However, in biomechanical and clinical studies, maximum shoulder external rotation angle is reported to be decreased by about 10 degrees due to shortening of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (AIGHL) length after Bankart repair. For overhead throwing athletes, the 10 degrees reduction in shoulder external rotation makes it difficult to return to the previous performance level, although it does not affect daily activity. To prevent shortening of the AIGHL length, an AIGHL reconstruction was developed using fascia lata graft. Preliminary clinical results in overhead throwing athletes showed that a throwing program could start with complete restoration of maximum shoulder external rotation angle 3 months after AIGHL reconstruction. In this study the effect of AIGHL reconstruction on shoulder external rotation and anterior stability for simulated Bankart lesion in a cadaveric model of a thrower’s shoulder was evaluated (Fig. 1).
Methods:
Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested at 60° of glenohumeral abduction (90° of shoulder abduction) to simulate throwing motion. Glenohumeral translations at 60° and 90° of external rotation, maximum humeral rotational range of motion, and humeral head shift were measured using goniometer and MicroScribe 3D-digitizer. Each specimen was subjected to five experimental stages: (1) intact condition; (2) simulation of thrower’s shoulder by anterior capsular stretching based on previously reported method; (3) creation of Bankart lesion (AIGHL and the labrum were detached at glenoid side); (4) Bankart repair using three suture anchors; and (5) AIGHL reconstruction using allograft of fascia lata. In the AIGHL reconstruction, allograft was patched between the detached AIGHL and glenoid at maximum shoulder external rotation position to restore the original AIGHL length (Fig. 2). For statistical analysis, linear mixed-effects model and Tukey’s post-hoc analysis were used.
Results:
After 20% stretching, shoulder external rotation and anterior translation were significantly increased (intact 128.3° and 2.8mm, thrower’s shoulder 141.9° and 7.3mm, p<0.001). Creation of Bankart lesion significantly increased anterior translation (8.3mm) compared with intact condition (p=0.021). Bankart repair completely restored anterior translation (3.0mm) to intact level; however, maximum shoulder external rotation angle after Bankart repair (134.8°) was significantly less than that in thrower’s shoulder (p=0.009). AIGHL reconstruction completely restored anterior translation (6.5mm) to thrower’s shoulder without decreasing maximum shoulder external rotation angle (144.4°) compared with thrower’s shoulder (Fig. 3 & 4). At maximum humeral external rotation, the humeral head was significantly shifted superiorly after creation of Bankart lesion compared with intact condition(p=0.005). After Bankart repair, the humeral head was significantly shifted inferiorly from the Bankart lesion (p=0.003) and was significantly inferior relative to the position after AIGHL reconstruction (p=0.007).
Conclusions:
While Bankart repair completely restored anterior translation to the intact level (tighter than thrower’s shoulder), AIGHL reconstruction completely restored to the thrower’s level. Furthermore, maximum shoulder external rotation angle was maintained after AIGHL reconstruction although Bankart repair decreased external rotation significantly. Therefore, AIGHL reconstruction can be a useful surgical option for Bankart lesion in overhead throwing athletes to restore anterior stability while maintaining maximum shoulder external rotation angle after surgery.
