Diagnosis and treatment of glenoid labrum injury of the shoulder with arthroscopy

Objective To discuss the practical significance and clinical therapeutic effects of shoulder arthroscopy technique in the diagnosis and treatment of glenoid labrum injury. Methods In order to have an accurate diagnosis of glenoid labrum injury of the shoulder, X-ray, arthrography, MRI and arthrog-raphy and arthroscopy techniques were used respectively for thirty-six cases of glenoid labrum injury. Under shoulder arthroscopy, the injured glenoid labrum was partially resected in twenty-eight patients affected with single glenoid labrum injury. The injured glenoid labrum of five SLAP cases were treated with debridement under shoulder arthroscopy, and then the affected shoulder was immobilized by zero-degree traction. The injured glenoid labrum of three Bankart cases also underwent debridement under shoulder arthroscopy, and then treated with improved Bristow operation through limited incision. Results After 2-year follow-up, according to the standard criterion of U. S. Michasel Reese Medical Center, the total pain score and the total joint function score were 75 and 25 respectively; the patients' average score was 65 and 20 postoperatively, compared with 35 and 10 preoperatively. The clinical symptoms of all these cases were greatly improved and the unstable symptoms disappeared postoperatively in eight SLAP injury or Bankart injury patients and they all returned their preoperative activities. Conclusion Glenoid labrum is one of the most frequent parts of shoulder joint to be injured. Shoulder arthroscopy is a necessary and effective advanced technique for a definite diagnosis and treatment of glenoid labrum injury. There is some difficulty to carry out operation with arthroscopy and some specific instruments, however, it is necessary for the surgeon to understand and handle the technique.