SHOULDER SLAP LESIONS IN NON-ATHLETIC INDIVIDUALS: TREAT IT OR LEAVE IT A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT VERSUS ARTHROSCOPIC SLAP REPAIR IN 50 PATIENTS

Background:SLAP(Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) lesions are commonly treated surgically in athletes, but their clinical significance in non athletic individuals remains unclear.This study compares conservative treatment with arthroscopic SLAP repair using suture anchors in non-athletes,assessing outcomes, complications, and cost-effectiveness. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 50 non-athletic adults (aged 30–60 years)with MRI-confirmed Type II SLAP lesions. Patients were assigned to Group A (n=25, conservative management) or Group B (n=25, arthroscopic SLAP repair with suture anchors). Outcome measures included ASES and VAS scores,return to activitytime,complications,and satisfaction,evaluated over 24 months. Biostatistics were performed using SPSS v26.0.

Conclusion:Although surgical repair offers statistically better outcomes, conservative management yields acceptable results with lower risk and cost. In non-athletic patients, a trial of conservative treatment is ethically and clinically appropriate as first-line therapy. Surgery should be reserved for persistent cases.