Proprioception of the shoulder joint after surgical repair for Instability: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND

Proprioceptive capabilities play an important role in stability of the shoulder joint.

HYPOTHESIS

Decreased proprioceptive capabilities can improve by surgical repair of shoulder instability.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective long-term study.

METHODS

The proprioceptive capabilities of 14 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability were examined preoperative and with a minimum follow-up of 5 years postoperative using the angle reproduction test. The patients' data were compared to a healthy control group.

RESULTS

The joint position sense improved significantly in abduction, flexion, and rotation (P <.05). The preoperative difference from the target joint position was 9.3 degrees (SD, 4.6 degrees ) for the summarized positions in abduction, 9.1 degrees (SD, 4.5 degrees ) in flexion, and 10.1 degrees (SD, 5.1 degrees ) in rotation. Postoperatively, it improved to 5.6 degrees (SD, 2.9 degrees ) in abduction, 5.6 degrees (SD, 2.7 degrees ) in flexion, and 5.0 degrees (SD, 1.8 degrees ) in rotation. The joint position sense of the uninvolved contralateral shoulder improved too.

CONCLUSIONS

Five years after surgical repair for shoulder instability, the joint position sense improved significantly, to a level of normal, healthy shoulders.