A retrospective study was performed on 20 shoulders in 19 patients who had been managed for severe loss of external rotation of the glenohumeral joint after a previous anterior capsulorrhaphy for recurrent instability. All patients had noted a restricted range of motion, and 17 shoulders had been painful. In 7 shoulders, the humeral head had been subluxated or dislocated posteriorly, and 16 shoulders had been affected by mild to severe glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. All 20 shoulders were treated with a reoperation, which consisted of a release of the anterior soft tissue. In addition, 8 shoulders had a total arthroplasty and one had a hemiarthroplasty. At an average duration of follow-up of 48 months, all shoulders had an improvement in the ratings for pain and range of motion. The average increase in external rotation was 45 degrees (range, 25 to 65 degrees). Patients who have a major loss of external rotation following anterior capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder may be at risk for the development of posterior subluxation and glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. The performance of an anterior release should be considered for these patients.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
A retrospective study was performed on 20 shoulders in 19 patients who had been managed for severe loss of external rotation of the glenohumeral joint after a previous anterior capsulorrhaphy for recurrent instability. All patients had noted a restricted range of motion, and 17 shoulders had been painful. In 7 shoulders, the humeral head had been subluxated or dislocated posteriorly, and 16 shoulders had been affected by mild to severe glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. All 20 shoulders were treated with a reoperation, which consisted of a release of the anterior soft tissue. In addition, 8 shoulders had a total arthroplasty and one had a hemiarthroplasty. At an average duration of follow-up of 48 months, all shoulders had an improvement in the ratings for pain and range of motion. The average increase in external rotation was 45 degrees (range, 25 to 65 degrees). Patients who have a major loss of external rotation following anterior capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder may be at risk for the development of posterior subluxation and glenohumeral osteoarthrosis. The performance of an anterior release should be considered for these patients.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.