Arthroscopic Findings After Traumatic Shoulder Instability in Patients Older Than 35 Years

BACKGROUND: Shoulder instability in the older patient traditionally has received less attention in the literature than in the younger patient population. However, when traumatic dislocation does occur, these patients often still have frequent pain, disability, and even continued instability. PURPOSE: To characterize the pathoanatomy of traumatic anterior shoulder instability in the older patient population and to discuss the correlating symptoms that ultimately led to operative treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients with a history of an initial traumatic anterior shoulder instability event occurring after the age of 35 years who underwent arthroscopic surgical intervention were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria included posterior instability, major fractures of the shoulder girdle, and multidirectional instability. All patients initially underwent a period of nonoperative rehabilitation. Operative treatment was performed if a patient continued to have pain and/or instability. Operative reports and arthroscopic pictures were reviewed for pathoanatomical findings. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients (28 shoulders) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this study (22 men and 5 women; mean age, 55 years; age range, 35-74 years). Surgical intervention was performed for recurrent instability in 7 patients, pain for 8 patients, and pain with instability for 13 patients. Arthroscopic findings demonstrated 18 rotator cuff tears (RCTs) (64.3%) and 18 Bankart lesions (64.3%). Nine patients had both an RCT combined with a Bankart lesion (32.1%). Three humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesions (10.7%) and 2 anterior labral periosteal sleeve avulsion (ALPSA) lesions (7.1%) were found. All shoulders demonstrated Hill-Sachs lesions of various size and depth. CONCLUSION: Traumatic shoulder instability in the older patient may result in a wide array of pathologic findings as well as a diversity of clinical presentations. These findings suggest that the clinical diagnostician should maintain a high index of suspicion for RCT, Bankart lesions, and HAGL lesions in older patients who remain symptomatic after traumatic anterior shoulder instability.