BACKGROUND: A number of studies suggest a relationship between generalized joint laxity (GJL) and increased risk of some musculoskeletal injuries. However, there are conflicting data on the association between GJL and traumatic recurrent shoulder instability (RSI). QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore asked whether the incidence of GJL in patients with RSI was greater than that in a control group. METHODS: We preoperatively determined GJL with a Beighton score in 100 male patients arthroscopically treated for RSI. The mean age of the patients was 25 years. We identified a control group of 100 individuals, matched for age and gender, with no known history of instability of the shoulder, knees, or ankles and obtained the same score. Those patients with a Beighton score greater than six points were considered lax (representing GJL). RESULTS: We identified no difference in the rate of GJL in the two groups: 13 of the 100 patients versus nine of the 100 control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our data add to the literature suggesting GJL does not predispose to RSI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
BACKGROUND: A number of studies suggest a relationship between generalized joint laxity (GJL) and increased risk of some musculoskeletal injuries. However, there are conflicting data on the association between GJL and traumatic recurrent shoulder instability (RSI). QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore asked whether the incidence of GJL in patients with RSI was greater than that in a control group. METHODS: We preoperatively determined GJL with a Beighton score in 100 male patients arthroscopically treated for RSI. The mean age of the patients was 25 years. We identified a control group of 100 individuals, matched for age and gender, with no known history of instability of the shoulder, knees, or ankles and obtained the same score. Those patients with a Beighton score greater than six points were considered lax (representing GJL). RESULTS: We identified no difference in the rate of GJL in the two groups: 13 of the 100 patients versus nine of the 100 control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our data add to the literature suggesting GJL does not predispose to RSI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.