Does superior labrum tear effect joint position sense?

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in shoulder joint position sense (JPS) in patients with superior labrumanterior posterior (SLAP) lesion treated conservatively and to compare with healthy contralateral shoulder and healthy subjects.Material and Methods: We evaluated JPS at 30°-60°-90°-120° with isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex Norm, Ronkokoma, NC) in 17patients diagnosed with SLAP tear. The mean age of patients was 36.2 (21-45). Pre and postoperative age, weight and VAS scoreswere recorded. The data was compared with contralateral shoulder and healthy subjects.Results: The mean age of patients and healthy subjects were 36.3±9.1 and 31.1±7.8; respectively (p>0.05). Mean VAS score ofinvolved shoulder was 5.5±1.6 and was found to be statistically higher compared to contralateral shoulder and healthy subjects(p0.05).Conclusions: Isolated SLAP lesion doesn’t have a significant impact on JPS. This may rule out the proprioception specificrehabilitation in patients with SLAP lesion.Level 1: Prospective, Clinically controlled trial