Anterior Glenoid Perforation with Suture Anchor Causing Subscapularis Irritation and Pain

Background: Suture anchors for labral repair have been associated with complications including suprascapular notch encroachment and osteolysis.

Case Description: We present a case of suture anchor penetration of the anterior glenoid neck leading to pain secondary to subscapularis muscle irritation in a 14-year-old boy. The patient had labral repair and subsequent anterior shoulder pain which resolved after anchor removal.

Literature Review: Chondrolysis of the glenohumeral joint has been described following labral repair with knotless anchors. There have also been cases of injury to the suprascapular nerve following labral repair. However, we are not aware of any reports describing suture anchor penetration of the anterior glenoid neck leading to pain secondary to subscapularis muscle irritation.

Purposes And Clinical Relevance: Labral repair has become a common and routine procedure, but complications can occur. We report a new complication related to osseous penetration of the anterior glenoid neck of the scapula by a suture anchor. We identified the complication using magnetic resonance imaging, an important part in reproducible, noninvasive, and objective assessment of the postoperative shoulder. We also present the technique for anchor removal used to resolve the patient's anterior shoulder pain.