Incidence and Risk Factors for Failure of Arthroscopic Posterior Capsulolabral Reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: Risk factors and outcomes of revision arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair is not well defined. It is hypothesized that athletes who require revision arthroscopic posterior unidirectional capsulolabral repair will have poorer outcomes and return to play with risk factors including younger age, injury size, bone loss, anchor number, and anchor type. METHODS: A review of 161 shoulders who underwent arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair using modern techniques at minimum 2 year follow up was completed. In addition to surgical data, ASES, stability, ROM, strength, and pain scores were compared pre- and post-operatively as well as return to sport. Those who required revision surgery were identified and compared to those not undergoing revision. RESULTS: Twenty shoulders required revision surgery (12.4%) at 5.3 year follow-up. Significant risk factors included female gender (p = 0.001), dominant shoulder (p = 0.005), and concomitant rotator cuff injury (p = 0.029). Patients with 3 or fewer anchors were more likely to require revision (OR = 3.48). There was no difference after normalization to tear size and location (p > 0.05). Return to sport at the same level was significantly lower if revision surgery was required (15.4% vs. 64.3%) (p = 0.004). All patients had significant improvements in ASES, pain, ROM, and strength after the original surgery, however, those who required revision surgery had less improvement (p < 0.05). Stability improved significantly in non-revision athletes (p < 0.001), but did not in revision patients (p = 0.662). CONCLUSION: Athletes required revision arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair at an incidence of 12.4% and had poorer outcome scores and return to play with risk factors being dominant shoulder surgery, female gender, concomitant rotator cuff injury, and the use of 3 or fewer anchors. This data is essential for patient selection, optimal treatment techniques, and patient education as posterior shoulder instability failure requiring revision has not previously been evaluated.