Return to Sport After Arthroscopic Treatment of Posterior Shoulder Instability

Background: Arthroscopic treatment of posterior shoulder instability has become more popular and effective in recent years, but few data are available concerning the rate of return to sport.Purpose: To present our experiences with arthroscopic posterior labral reconstruction in athletes and review our results, with a particular focus on the rate of return to sport.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Included in the study were 40 arthroscopic stabilizations performed because of posterior shoulder instability in 37 athletes at a single institution. During follow-up, the athletes’ rate of return to sport was calculated. Shoulder function was evaluated based on a pre- versus postoperative comparison of the Rowe instability score and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. Additionally, the return-to-sport rate was compared among different subgroups: traumatic versus atraumatic origin of injury, competitive versus recreational athletes, high-risk versus low-risk sport, and posterior-only versus anterior and posterior stabilization. Data were statistically analyzed using paired-samples t test and nonparametric Fisher exact test.Results: The average follow-up period was 54.4 months (range, 24-112 months). Three shoulders (7.5%) continued to have posterior subluxations postoperatively. There were 34 excellent, 3 good, and 3 fair results based on the Rowe score (average postoperative score, 92.9), and patients achieved an average postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 92.7. The pre- to postoperative improvement was statistically significant in both scoring systems ( P 90% of the patients, and 98% returned to sport activity. The athletes had a significantly higher rate of return to sport if their posterior shoulder instability had a clear traumatic origin.