Arthroscopic Bennett Lesion Resection: A Novel Technique

Background: Bennett lesion is ossification of the posterior inferior glenohumeral ligament complex. Though often asymptomatic, these lesions can become painful and interfere with throwing ability. Indications: The Bennett lesion is relatively common among elite throwers, present in 22% to 25% of asymptomatic pitchers. Suggested causes of this lesion include traction on the posterior joint and posterior impingement in the late cocking phase. These lesions can become painful due to displacement and irritation of the joint capsule and axillary nerve. Therefore, efficient arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic lesions is essential. Technique Description: The patient is positioned in the lateral decubitus position, and the glenohumeral joint is accessed via posterior and anterior portals. Once the lesion is identified, it may be probed and debrided via the posterior portal. A posterior capsular release is performed, and 4.0 mm burr resection of the lesion is started, viewing from the anterior portal with a 70° arthroscope. Direct visualization through the posterior portal can be used to verify complete lesion resection. If there is a true tear of the posterior labrum, this can be repaired with a knotless suture anchor back to the glenoid, but usually there is delamination that can be left alone after addressing the Bennett lesion. Results: We have found good success treating Bennett lesions via the above technique. This is supported by previous literature as well, with return to preinjury levels ranging from 69% to 85% following arthroscopic resection. Discussion/Conclusion: Four diagnostic criteria have been described to ensure accurate diagnosis: detection of a bony spur at the posterior glenoid rim on plain x-ray films, best seen on Stryker notch and Bennett view; posterior shoulder pain while throwing; tenderness at the posteroinferior aspect of the glenohumeral joint; and improvement in pain following lidocaine injection. Magnetic resonance imaging is also an excellent diagnostic tool to detect early enthesopathic changes in the posterior glenoid or periosteum, as well as labral pathology. Following arthroscopic resection, 88% of patients were satisfied with their treatment when using these diagnostic criteria. Accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of Bennett lesions are imperative in the throwing athlete, and when performed correctly, our technique provides significant and lasting improvement for patients.

Arthroscopic Repair of Humeral Avulsion of Glenohumeral Ligament Lesions: Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-up

Background: Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) is an uncommon condition but a major contributor to shoulder instability and functional decline. Purpose: To describe the pre- and postoperative HAGL lesion presentations of instability, pain, and functionality and the return-to-sports activities in patients managed arthroscopically for anterior and posterior HAGL lesions. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Data on patients with HAGL lesions treated with arthroscopic repair between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively retrieved from medical charts, and the patients were interviewed to assess their level of postoperative functionality. The Rowe; Constant; University of California, Los Angeles; Oxford; and pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores were obtained for both pre- and postoperative status. Return-to-sports activities and level of activities after surgery were compared with the preinjury state, and complications, reoperations, and recurrent instability were recorded and evaluated. Results: There were 23 study patients (12 females and 11 males; mean age, 24 years). The mean follow-up duration was 24.4 months (range, 7-99 months; median, 17 months). In 7 (30.4%) of the patients, HAGL lesions were diagnosed only intraoperatively. A significant improvement was seen in all examined postoperative functional scores and VAS. At the last follow-up visit, 2 patients (8.7%) reported residual instability with no improvement in pain levels and declined any further treatment, and 3 others (13.0%) required revision surgeries for additional shoulder pathologies (reoperations were performed 18-36 months after the index procedure). The remaining 18 patients (78.3%) were free of pain and symptoms. There was a mean of 0.65 coexisting pathologies per patient, mostly superior labral anterior-posterior, Bankart, and rotator cuff lesions. Conclusion: HAGL lesions are often missed during routine workup in patients with symptoms of instability, and a high level of suspicion is essential during history acquisition, clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging arthrogram interpretation, and arthroscopic evaluation. Arthroscopic repair yields good pain and stability results; however, some high-level athletes may not return to their preinjury level of activity.

Evaluation of variations of the glenoid attachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament by magnetic resonance arthrography

Objective: To evaluate the anatomical variations of the attachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) to the anterior glenoid rim. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 93 magnetic resonance arthrography examinations of the shoulder. Two radiologists, who were blinded to the patient data and were working independently, read the examinations. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement were evaluated. The pattern of IGHL glenoid attachment and its position on the anterior glenoid rim were recorded. Results: In 50 examinations (53.8%), the glenoid attachment was classified as type I (originating from the labrum), whereas it was classified as type II (originating from the glenoid neck) in 43 (46.2%). The IGHL emerged at the 4 o’clock position in 58 cases (62.4%), at the 3 o’clock position in 14 (15.0%), and at the 5 o’clock position in 21 (22.6%). The rates of interobserver and intraobserver agreement were excellent. Conclusion: Although type I IGHL glenoid attachment is more common, we found a high prevalence of the type II variation. The IGHL emerged between the 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions, most commonly at the 4 o’clock position.

Posterior shoulder labrocapsular structures in all aspects; 3D volumetric MR arthrography study

Pathologies of the posterior labrocapsular structures of the shoulder joint are far less common than anterior labrocapsuloligamentous lesions. Most of these pathologies have been associated with traumatic posterior dislocation. A smaller portion of the lesions include posterior extension of superior labral anteroposterior lesions, posterior superior internal impingement, and damage to the posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Labrocapsular anatomic variations of the posterior shoulder joint can mimic labral pathology on conventional MR and occasionally on MR arthrographic images. Knowledge of this variant anatomy is key to interpreting MR images and studying MR arthrography of the posterior labrocapsular structure to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical procedures. In this article, we review normal and variant anatomy of the posterior labrocapsular structure of the shoulder joint based on MR arthrography and discuss how to discriminate normal anatomic variants from labrocapsular damage.