Arthroscopic findings of traumatic first-time anterior shoulder instability: a comparison of adolescent versus adult patients.

BACKGROUND

Recurrence rates after first-time shoulder dislocation in young patients are high, especially in their early teens. Only a few studies have arthroscopically investigated the inside of the glenohumeral joint in young patients. Such arthroscopic investigation would help in solving the cause of the greater incidence of recurrent instability in the young population, especially in their early teens.

METHODS

Data from 42 patients with first-time anterior shoulder dislocation were retrospectively reviewed. The participants were divided into two groups: those aged 10 to 15 years at the time of the dislocation (adolescent group) and those aged 20- 29 years (adult group). The arthroscopic findings regarding the glenohumeral joint in the adolescent group were assessed and compared to those in the adult group. The intra-articular pathology was examined in all cases and recorded with specific reference to (1) the anterior capsulolabral lesion, (2) Hill-Sachs lesion, (3) labrum-anteroinferior glenohumeral ligament complex, and (4) other concomitant lesions.

RESULTS

Anterior joint laxity was found more in the adolescent group than in the adult group ( = .046). Thirty-six (83%) shoulders had Hill-Sachs lesions: 6 shoulders (60%) in the adolescent group and 30 shoulders (97%) in the adult group, with a significant difference ( < .001).

CONCLUSION

Pathological findings observed during arthroscopy are more common in the adult group, whereas recurrent instability is more likely in adolescent group.