Structural and clinical integrity of the rotator cuff in athletes after arthroscopic Bankart repair using the three-portal technique.

INTRODUCTION: Muscular recovery of structural integrity after arthroscopic Bankart repair using the para- and trans-musculotendinous three-portal technique has not been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven athletes [mean age 26.9 years, (group 1; G1)] were prospectively and longitudinally monitored after arthroscopic Bankart repair using the three-portal technique by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and specific clinical muscular testing. The muscular integrity was assessed at the subscapularis (SSC) for the para-tendinous anteroinferior portal, the supraspinatus (SSP) for the trans-tendinous suprabicipital portal, and the infraspinatus (ISP) for the trans-tendinous posterior portal. Muscular atrophy was assessed by standardized ratios of transverse and vertical diameters for the SSC and ISP, as defined by cross-sectional area ratios for the SSP. Fatty infiltration was assessed by signal intensity analysis for the upper and lower SSC, SSP, and upper ISP as a ratio with the lower ISP. These parameters were analyzed for pre-operative (T0), 1-year (T1), and 2-year status (T2), and compared to 27 healthy volunteers [mean age 29.4 years, (group 2, G2)].

RESULTS: The structural integrity assessments were performed after 14.8 (T1) and 32.0 months (T2). The SSC analysis revealed no muscular impairments in the upper and lower portions between T0 and T2 or compared to G2. MRI analysis for SSP and ISP showed full muscular recovery without any changes between T0 and T2 or deficits compared to G2. The number of pre-operative dislocations had no influence on the muscular integrity. MR analysis detected signs of overuse syndrome in 15 % at T0, 41 % at T1, and 63 % at T2; 77, 22, and 26 % of patients at T0, T1, and T2, respectively, were symptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic Bankart repair using the three-portal technique prevents full muscular integrity for para-tendinous anteroinferior portals at the SSC, the trans-tendinous suprabicipital portal through the SSP, and the trans-tendinous portal through the ISP.