The results of arthroscopic debridement of glenoid labral tears based on tear location.

A retrospective, average 2-year review of 14 patients with a primary glenoid labral tear treated by arthroscopic debridement was conducted to evaluate the long-term results of labral debridement based on tear location in preoperatively stable shoulders. All patients with concomitant pathology requiring an additional open or arthroscopic procedure were eliminated from this study. Every patient complained of shoulder pain mainly with overhead activities and nine patients (64%) also described "clicking" with shoulder movement. All shoulders were stable to translation in all quadrants during the preoperative examination and examination under anesthesia. The functional results at 6 months' follow-up were 93% excellent or good. However, the results at > 1 year's follow-up (average 2 years) were only 71% excellent or good, with a statistically significant 50% of patients decreased in function. The best results were in the superior and anterior-inferior regions. Three patients with large anterior-superior lesions (60%) developed postoperative instability noted at > 6 months postsurgery, representing a significant difference between groups. One of these patients was able to regain a good functional result with rotator cuff strengthening therapy. Close observation of patients after large anterior-superior labral tear arthroscopic debridement is advised because they are at risk for the delayed onset of instability.