Long-term results after SLAP repair: a 5-year follow-up study of 107 patients with comparison of patients aged over and under 40 years.

PURPOSE: The aims of this prospective cohort study were to assess the long-term results after isolated superior labral repair and to determine whether the results were associated with age.

METHODS

One hundred seven patients underwent repair of isolated SLAP tears. There were 36 women and 71 men with a mean age of 43.8 years (range, 20 to 68 years). Mean follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 4 to 8 years). Of the patients, 62 (57.9%) were aged 40 years or older. Follow-up examinations were performed by an independent examiner; 102 patients (95.3%) had a 5-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The Rowe score improved from 62.8 (SD, 11.4) preoperatively to 92.1 (SD, 13.5) at follow-up (P < .001). Satisfaction was rated excellent/good for 90 patients (88%) at 5 years. There was no significant difference in the results for patients aged 40 years or older and those aged under 40 years. Difficulty with postoperative stiffness and pain was reported by 14 patients (13.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that long-term outcomes after isolated labral repair for SLAP lesions are good and independent of age. Postoperative stiffness was registered in 13.1% of the patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.