Arthroscopic laser-assisted capsular shift in the treatment of patients with multidirectional shoulder instability

In recent years, various investigators have begun using lasers in the treatment of shoulder instability.

Arthroscopic laser-assisted capsular shift is an effective treatment for patients with multidirectional shoulder instability.

Retrospective cohort study.

We retrospectively identified 28 patients (30 shoulders) with multidirectional shoulder instability who were unresponsive to nonoperative management and who had undergone the laser-assisted capsular shift procedure. Twenty-five patients (27 shoulders) with an average follow-up of 28 months were available for review. All patients underwent a physical examination and completed a general questionnaire; the University of California, Los Angeles, shoulder rating scale; the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index; and the Short-Form 36 quality of life index.

In 22 shoulders, results of the procedure were considered a success because the patients had no recurrent symptoms and at latest follow-up had required no further operative intervention. In five shoulders, results were considered a failure because of recurrent pain or instability and the need for an open capsular shift procedure. With recurrent instability as a measure of failure, the overall success rate was 81.5%.

Our results with laser-assisted capsular shift are comparable with the results of other open and arthroscopic techniques in relieving pain and returning athletes to their premorbid function.