Postsurgical glenohumeral arthritis in young adults

Chondrolysis has been reported as a sequela of arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Although the causes have yet to be fully elucidated, basic science and clinical evidence suggest a multifactorial origin. Surgical treatment in young patients with glenohumeral chondrolysis is particularly challenging, with little outcome data.

Glenohumeral chondrolysis has several causes and patterns of presentation. Biological resurfacing is a viable treatment option for symptomatic glenohumeral arthritis. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Twenty patients (mean age, 19.7 years; range, 13.1-33.8) were referred for management of extensive glenohumeral arthritis after arthroscopy glenohumeral surgery (mean time postoperatively, 26 months; range, 3-73). Sixteen patients had an intra-articular pain pump placed for 2 to 3 days; 2 patients demonstrated prominent implants; and 2 had thermal treatment. Patients underwent revision surgery, including 7 biological resurfacings of the glenoid and humeral head, 4 biological resurfacings of the humeral head alone, and 7 other procedures. Eight patients having biological resurfacing were assessed just before the revision surgery, at a mean time of 3.1 years after revision (range, 1.9-6.5), with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon scale and Simple Shoulder Test, Short Form 12 (physical and mental components), and visual analog scale score for pain.

Patient outcomes scores improved from 51 to 71 (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon scale, P < .01), 7 to 10 (Simple Shoulder Test, P < .02), and 5 to 3 (visual analog scale, P < .01). Preoperative range of motion demonstrated modest improvements from 119 degrees to 132 degrees of flexion, 42 degrees to 41 degrees of external rotation, and internal rotation from L2 to T12 level. Two patients required an additional surgery: 1 total shoulder arthroplasty and 1 capsular release with debridement.

Severe glenohumeral arthritis is a devastating postoperative complication of glenohumeral arthroscopy. Although not a universal finding, the use of glenohumeral pain pumps is a concern, as well as suboptimal anchor placement. Biological resurfacing permits modest functional improvement in a challenging shoulder condition.