This prospective cohort followed 179 young, active military patients after arthroscopic repair of isolated type 2 SLAP tears. It measured validated outcome scores and independent exams to determine which factors predict success or failure. The goal was to identify who does well after repair and who does not.
When you see a type 2 SLAP tear in a patient over 36, the decision to repair versus tenodese should shift. This study puts a number on it: age over 36 triples the risk of failure after repair. The key teaching point is that improved outcome scores can mask a poor functional result. Scores rose across the board, yet 37% still failed and 28% needed revision in this active population.
The authors align with Boileau's randomized data showing biceps tenodesis gives far better return-to-play than repair in older athletes (87% vs 20%). In the young patient, repair still makes sense, preserving the biceps anchor while leaving tenodesis as a salvage option.
One practical pitfall: repair can cost range of motion in flexion and abduction, so rehab must actively target motion. As a Level 3 study confined to military patients, external validity to overhead throwers and the general population is limited.
This prospective cohort followed 179 young, active military patients after arthroscopic repair of isolated type 2 SLAP tears. It measured validated outcome scores and independent exams to determine which factors predict success or failure. The goal was to identify who does well after repair and who does not.
When you see a type 2 SLAP tear in a patient over 36, the decision to repair versus tenodese should shift. This study puts a number on it: age over 36 triples the risk of failure after repair. The key teaching point is that improved outcome scores can mask a poor functional result. Scores rose across the board, yet 37% still failed and 28% needed revision in this active population.
The authors align with Boileau's randomized data showing biceps tenodesis gives far better return-to-play than repair in older athletes (87% vs 20%). In the young patient, repair still makes sense, preserving the biceps anchor while leaving tenodesis as a salvage option.
One practical pitfall: repair can cost range of motion in flexion and abduction, so rehab must actively target motion. As a Level 3 study confined to military patients, external validity to overhead throwers and the general population is limited.