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Isolated electrothermal capsulorrhaphy in overhand athletes
Jerome G Enad1, Neal S ElAttrache, James E Tibone
1Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, CA, USA. jgenad@mar.med.navy.mil
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|March 5, 2004
Summary
Arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy showed mixed results for treating shoulder instability in overhead athletes. While some athletes improved, high failure and recurrence rates suggest it may not be sufficient alone.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Arthroscopy
Background:
- Shoulder instability is a common issue in overhand athletes.
- Traditional treatments may not fully address the complex biomechanics of overhead sports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy for shoulder instability in overhand athletes.
- To assess functional outcomes and return-to-sport rates following the procedure.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 20 symptomatic overhand athletes underwent arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy without labral repair.
- Nineteen patients were assessed post-procedure using Rowe and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores at a mean of 23 months.
Main Results:
- Overall Rowe results were 10 excellent, 4 good, 2 fair, and 3 poor (mean score 82).
- Mean ASES score was 85.7, with high scores for pain and activities of daily living.
- Ten percent of patients (2/20) required subsequent open shoulder stabilization due to failure.
Conclusions:
- Isolated arthroscopic electrothermal capsulorrhaphy provides favorable but not optimal outcomes for overhand athletes with shoulder instability.
- High recurrence and failure rates suggest that this technique alone may be insufficient to address significant laxity.
- Further research is needed to explore alternative or combined surgical approaches for this population.