Upper Limb Strength and Performance Deficits after Glenohumeral Joint Stabilization Surgery in Contact and Collision Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim was to identify and quantify differences in interlimb asymmetry magnitudes across a battery of upper extremity strength and performance tests at 4 and 6 months after glenohumeral joint stabilization surgery shoulder stabilization in contact and collision athletes compared with an un-injured group. A secondary aim was to investigate if identified asymmetry magnitudes changed from 4 to 6 months after glenohumeral joint stabilization surgery. The third aim was to explore associations within the different performance and strength variables.

Methods: Fifty-six male contact and collision sport athletes who had had undergone unilateral glenohumeral joint stabilization were tested at 4 and 6 months after surgery. An un-injured control group ( n = 39 for upper extremity performance tests, n = 47 for isokinetic dynamometry) were tested on a single occasion. Three upper extremity force platform-based performance tests and angle-specific concentric internal and external isokinetic shoulder rotational strength were assessed, and interlimb asymmetries were compared between the two groups.

Results: At 4 months after surgery, the glenohumeral joint stabilization group demonstrated significantly higher absolute interlimb asymmetry values than the un-injured group for almost all the performance test variables. In the ballistic upper-body performance tests, the glenohumeral joint stabilization group achieved only half the body elevation reached by the un-injured (counter-movement push-up jump height ( η2 = 0.50) and press-jump jump height ( η2 = 0.39)). At 6 months after surgery, absolute interlimb asymmetries reduced for the performance test variables, but some asymmetry persisted. The glenohumeral joint stabilization group had significantly greater absolute interlimb asymmetries for five out the eight isokinetic variables.

Conclusions: Contact and collision athletes who may be cleared to return to sport at 4 to 6 months after glenohumeral joint stabilization surgery shoulder stabilization continue to demonstrate upper limb strength and performance deficits when compared with their un-injured limb and their un-injured counterparts.